Thatcher challenges coup interrogation

Mark Thatcher and his lawyers went to court today to wrap up their challenge to the legality of a South African subpoena to question him about a coup attempt in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.

The 51-year-old son of former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher, arrived at the Cape High Court with his legal team, appearing relaxed, and exchanging greetings with the throng of local and foreign media for the second day of the hearing.

Equatorial Guinea wants to question Thatcher about allegations he helped finance the coup attempt that failed earlier this year.

Thatcher’s lawyers argued yesterday, however, that it was unconstitutional to subpoena him to respond to those questions while he has related South African charges pending.

Thatcher’s lawyer Peter Hodes said he would be wrapping up his argument in the Cape Town court this afternoon, allowing the state to proceed with its case.

Thatcher, a businessman who has lived in South Africa since 1995, was subpoenaed after the South African government granted an Equatorial Guinea request to question him.

He is one of several Britons Equatorial Guinea wants to question about the allegations they financed the alleged plot to overthrow President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who has ruled Africa’s third-largest oil producer for the past 25 years.

Nineteen people are on trial in Equatorial Guinea, including Nick Du Toit, a South African arms dealer alleged to have led an advance team for the plot. Du Toit, the only suspect facing the death penalty, has testified that he met Thatcher and others repeatedly in the months before the alleged coup attempt.

Thatcher faces trial in South Africa next month on charges of violating the Foreign Military Assistance Act by financing an illegal military action in a foreign country. He denies the charges and has said he will cooperate with authorities.