A British mercenary accused of plotting to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea three years ago has told a court in Zimbabwe that he will be killed if he is extradited to the Central African country, state radio said on Friday.
In his argument against the extradition by the government of Equatorial Guinea, Simon Mann said he cannot go to Equatorial Guinea because the authorities there will not spare his life.
His appearance in court on Thursday took place at the Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, 20km from Harare, where the Briton has been held since his arrest at Harare International Airport in March 2004.
It was the first court appearance by the former SAS officer since his trial in 2004 on charges of illegally purchasing firearms to topple the government of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.
On Thursday, state prosecutor Joseph Jagada said Malabo had made some undertakings with the government of Zimbabwe to have an independent judge selected by members of the African Union preside over the trial of Mann.
According to the undertakings, the death penalty will not apply in the event of conviction, the radio said.
In February lawyers representing Equatorial Guinea began their application to have Mann extradited to Malabo when he completes the mandatory two-thirds of a four-year jail term in Zimbabwe.
Mann is due to be released on May 11.
Defence lawyer, Jonathan Samkange, who says his client is in need of medical attention, has argued that Mann will be tortured if he is sent to Malabo.
Mann was arrested with 69 other South Africans in 2004 when their plane stopped off in Harare en route to Equatorial Guinea.
His accomplices were convicted of minor aviation and immigration offences and were released in 2005. ‒ Sapa-DPA