Witnesses tell of 'Trojan Horse plot'

[emad]

IOL

By Barbara Jones

Three South African mercenaries due to be prosecution witnesses in the trial of Sir Mark Thatcher have revealed details of a daring "Trojan Horse" operation they allege he was involved in as part of a plot to overthrow the president of Equatorial Guinea.

The prosecution hopes the evidence of the coup leaders - who agreed to testify in a plea-bargaining deal - will prove Thatcher's direct involvement in the botched plot and lead to a lengthy prison sentence.

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[Al-CIAda]

1. Hang 'em high-

"Thatcher's role, according to the other plotters, was to finance a helicopter gunship that would provide air cover during the shoot-out and double as an ambulance in the event of casualties.

The rewards for the coup leaders would be a share of the country's oil profits and lucrative jobs providing security for the new president and his government.

The plot, planned for last March, failed after a tip-off from South African intelligence."