Thatcher's last-minute change of heart

[emad]

IOL

February 01 2005 at 11:21AM

By Fatima Schroeder and Reuters

Mark Thatcher, found guilty of bankrolling an alleged coup plot in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, has withdrawn an application for leave to appeal against a judgment compelling him to answer questions in the case.

Thatcher's attorney Alan Bruce-Brand confirmed the withdrawal on Monday, adding: "You can't read anything too widely into that."
In November last year, three Cape High Court judges dismissed Thatcher's bid to have a subpoena compelling him to answer questions from Equatorial Guinea set aside.

The Equatorial Guinea government made the request on August 27 and the acting director general (DG) of the justice department satisfied himself that the request complied with the requirements set out in the International Co-operation in Criminal Matters Act.

'But we still believe the case against him was strong'
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20050201063616711C357322

[gratuitous]

1. Yeah, and don't read too much into his conviction on charges

After all, that's what bribes are for! You don't bribe someone who's going to find in your favor, you have to reach the people who are actually going to convict you on the evidence.

Devil's Island? Alcatraz? The Black Hole of Calcutta? Abu Ghraib? Maze Prison? A French Oubliette? Where should Sir Mark serve his time?