Equatorial Guinea seeks Thatcher

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Equatorial Guinea is seeking the extradition of Mark Thatcher after his name was found on a list of people invited to fund a botched coup.

Thatcher, the wealthy son of Margaret Thatcher, the former British prime minister, was arrested Wednesday by South African authorities on a charge of helping fund a coup attempt in the central African nation, the Times of London reported Friday.

Thatcher, whose name was found on a computer disc containing a list of rich people invited to give $188,000 each for the coup plotters, posted bail after being given a November court date.

Within hours, Equatorial Guinea said it had begun efforts to extradite Thatcher to their country.

"The process for requesting extradition has started," said Lucie Bourthoumieux of Equatorial Guinea. "There has been a first contact, an initial expression of interest from the government of Equatorial Guinea to South Africa. Now we have to wait for the response."

Simon Mann, a former British military officer now in Zimbabwean custody, is alleged to have led an attempt to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

Thatcher has denied knowledge of the coup plot.