Financial Times
By Michael Peel in Lagos and David White in London
An alleged leader of a failed coup in the tiny oil-rich central African state of Equatorial Guinea has claimed he was tortured into confessing. He also denied that Sir Mark Thatcher plotted to overthrow the government, according to an affidavit seen by the Financial Times.
Sir Mark, son of Lady Thatcher, the former British prime minister, was arrested in South Africa in August in connection with the coup plot but denies any involvement.
Simon Mann, who is serving a seven-year prison sentence in Zimbabwe after being convicted of illegally trying to buy arms, said a separate statement admitting his involvement was "invented" by an Equatorial Guinea government lawyer.
The new statement raises fresh questions over the Equatorial Guinea government's coup accusations, which led to the conviction of 20 alleged plotters last month in a trial condemned by Amnesty International over allegations of torture and many other serious failings.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/b60dc646-4aeb-11d9-a0ca-00000e2511c8.html