The Hindu : International : Mugabe refuses extradition

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 24, 2004

International

International

Mugabe refuses extradition

Pretoria: Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's President, has rejected a request from Equatorial Guinea for the extradition of 70 alleged mercenaries accused of plotting a coup in the west African country. Mr. Mugabe and Kembo Mohadi, his Home Affairs Minister, met two envoys sent by Teodoro Obiang Nguema, Equatorial Guinea's President, the Government-controlled Herald newspaper reported over the weekend. Mr. Mohadi told the paper: ``They wanted the extradition of the suspected mercenaries to Equatorial Guinea, where we said it is not possible, since it will be against international laws.'' Lawyers in the Zimbabwean capital Harare said Mr. Mugabe's Government cannot turn the suspects — mostly members of South Africa's apartheid-era military forces — over to Equatorial Guinea because the extradition treaty between the countries was not signed when they were arrested in March. The news will come as relief to the families of the men who feared they would face execution if they were extradited. Mr. Mohadi said Mr. Obiang also requested evidence to use at the trial of 14 other suspected mercenaries held in Equatorial Guinea.

— © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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