The former South African prisoner pardoned by Equatorial Guinea, Marius ”Bone” Boonzaaier, was better but still receiving medical treatment, his family said on Friday.
”Bone received medical treatment on arrival at Johannesburg International airport and is still receiving medical attention,” his wife Georgia said in a statement.
”His condition is improving.”
She said tests were still being done to determine the extent of his illness.
Boonzaaier arrived back in South Africa about two weeks ago after being pardoned by Equatorial Guinea’s president Obiang Nguema due to his ill health. After being pardoned Boonzaaier was too sick to immediately return to South Africa and first had to be stabilised.
He was arrested and convicted for alleged involvement in a coup plot against Equatorial Guinea authorities in 2004.
Authorities in Equatorial Guinea asked the South African government to help with Boonzaaier’s return soon after he was pardoned.
In the statement, his family also thanked the South African Department of Foreign Affairs and Equatorial Guinea’s government for their support when Boonzaaier was released. — Sapa