Thatcher escapes jail for coup plot
Sir Mark Thatcher today pleaded guilty to being part of a coup to oust president Teodore Obiang from the west African country of Equatorial Guinea.
As a result, the son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has avoided jail in South Africa. He has been given a 3,000,000 SA Rand (£265,000) fine and a suspended four-year prison sentence.
In an unscheduled court appearance in South Africa, the 51-year-old admitted to financing a helicopter to take part in the plot but denied all knowledge of the coup.
He said he believed the aircraft was to be used as an air ambulance but accepted that he had been negligent in not fully investigating its use, which contravenes South Africa’s anti-mercenary legislation.
Baroness Thatcher said she was relieved at the outcome, saying: “This has been a difficult time for all of the family – obviously I am delighted that it has been brought to an end.”
The court’s acceptance of the plea bargain means that Sir Mark will now be allowed to leave South Africa. He could rejoin his family in the United States.
This will enable him to avoid the possibility of extradition proceedings being brought against him by the government of Equatorial Guinea.
As his passport has been revoked, he has been unable to leave the country, which has been his home for almost a decade.
Sir Mark is one of 20 other defendants who are alleged to have taken part in the plot. It is not clear whether he will now give evidence against them.
