Prosecutors in Zimbabwe today dropped firearms charges against three of 70 suspected mercenaries who are accused of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea.

All but three of 70 suspected mercenaries accused of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea pleaded guilty to lesser charges in Zimbabwe in hopes of early release from prison.

The trial of 70 suspected mercenaries accused of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea was adjourned for 24 hours after a five-minute hearing in Zimbabwe today.

The trial of 70 people accused of being British-led mercenaries plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea was postponed in Zimbabwe today to allow their lawyers to appeal for the trial to be moved, court officials said.