AP, Harare: Simon Mann, a former British special-forces operative accused of leading a foiled coup plot in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea was convicted yesterday of trying to buy weapons from Zimbabwe's state arms manufacturer.
Mr. Mann said he tried to obtain weapons from Zimbabwe Defence Industries, but he contended they were for a job protecting a mining operation in Democratic Republic of Congo. Sixty-six suspected mercenaries, co-defendants of Mr. Mann, were acquitted.
The chief magistrate mentioned no link between the attempted arms purchase and the plot. In Equatorial Guinea, 19 people are on trial for the alleged plot.
