Simon Mann goes free from Equatorial Guinea prison

British mercenary Simon Mann released after pardon over involvement in 2004 coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea

The British mercenary Simon Mann has been freed from jail in Equatorial Guinea, government officials in the west African state told the Guardian.

The Old Etonian mercenary, who was serving a 34-year sentence for his involvement in a 2004 coup attempt, was met by his brother and sister outside the notorious Black Beach prison in the capital, Malabo, according to the head of the supreme court, José Olo Obono.

"He has left the jail and is with his brother and sister," Olo Obono said.

According to an eyewitness at Black Beach: "He was very emotional. There were diplomats waiting for him and speeches were made. Mr Mann said that he was very grateful to the president of the country for the pardon he had been given.

"He said that he was happy that the coup had not worked out in the end."

A government spokesman, Federico Abaga, said that a committee representing several ministries had gone to the prison this morning to arrange the release.

"Once he has left prison he will have 24 hours to leave the country. I don't know where he will go. He is British, so I suppose he will go there," Abaga said.

"I can confirm that he has been pardoned for humanitarian reasons … and because he has shown genuine signs of repentance. He is also being pardoned so that he can receive the regular medical treatment that he needs."

Mann will spend his first night in freedom at the five-star Hotel El Paraiso, outside Malabo. A receptionist at the hotel confirmed that Mann's brother Edward and sister Sarah had arrived this morning.

"They have gone into the city. There is a third reservation but they have not arrived yet," she said. The family were due to check out of the hotel tomorrow.

Mann's family spoke today of their delight after he was granted a full pardon for his part in the failed coup plot.

"The family is absolutely delighted that Simon has been pardoned and is to be released shortly," they said in a statement. "Everyone is profoundly grateful to the president and the government of Equatorial Guinea. The whole family is overjoyed at the prospect of finally welcoming Simon home after five and a half long years away."

Olo Obono, who served as the chief prosecutor in Mann's trial, said: "Mr Mann learned he was going to be released last Saturday but the news wasn't made official until Monday, when he received his presidential pardon. I personally took him the legal papers he had to sign ahead of his release. He went red with emotion and his eyes filled with tears.

"A private plane arrived in Malabo from Britain this morning. It was carrying his wife, Amanda, and his sister Sarah, as far as I know. They are at a hotel in the capital, where they will meet him after his release from prison and stay the night so he can rest. They are due to fly out of the country again together early tomorrow."

He said Mann had been "a model prisoner". "He has behaved impeccably and he helped us get to the bottom of this coup. Healthwise, Simon is OK. He was suffering from a hernia but he has been operated on twice now in Equatorial Guinea.

"His release has been ordered on humanitarian grounds but it is not because Simon is ill. It's because the president felt it is what he should do, for humanitarian reasons."

Olo Obono said Equatorial Guinea still wanted to talk to the millionaire Eli Calil and Sir Mark Thatcher – the son of Lady Thatcher – about the plot. Both men deny involvement.

Greg Wales, a British businessman who was named by Equatorial Guinea's attorney general as one of the main conspirators in the coup plot, told the Daily Mail that Mann's release followed months of delicate negotiations. He said the talks had taken place at the country's embassy in London and at the Ritz Hotel between September and October.

Abaga confirmed that Mann's release coincided with the arrival of the South African president, Jacob Zuma, on an official visit to Equatorial Guinea. At least one South African is among four other men who have received pardons.

Article Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/03/simon-mann-free-equatorial-guinea