Anti-terror detectives are preparing to question mercenary Simon Mann after he was unexpectedly freed from an African prison. Skip related content
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Officers want to quiz the Old Etonian and ex-SAS officer over the bungled Equatorial Guinea coup that left him facing a 34-year jail term.
Mann is expected to return home later after being released from prison in the oil-rich West African state 15 months into his sentence. He spent his first night of freedom in a hotel after being suddenly pardoned by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
Serious questions remain over the plot to topple Equatorial Guinea's government and install opposition leader Severo Moto. The plan collapsed when Mann and 70 mercenaries were held on an airport runway in Harare, Zimbabwe, in March 2004.
Mann, 57, claimed during his trial that several other prominent figures helped organise and finance the plot in London. He said his friend Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former prime minister Baroness Thatcher, was "part of the management team".
Sir Mark was given a suspended sentence in South Africa in relation to funding the operation. He has always denied any knowledge that a coup was being plotted and issued a statement welcoming news of Mann's release.
Lebanese-born London businessman Ely Calil has also been implicated in the plot. He too denies any wrongdoing.
South African arms dealer Nick Du Toit was sentenced to 34 years in prison but was also granted a pardon along with Sergio Cardoso, Jose Domingos and George Alerson their part in the plot.
British detectives visited Mann three times last year while he was in the country's notorious Black Beach prison.
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