Equatorial Guinea seeks Thatcher extradition
The government of Equatorial Guinea has asked South Africa to extradite Mark Thatcher, son of the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who is under house arrest for his alleged role in a coup plot against Equatorial Guinea. A lawyer for the government, Lucie Bourthoumieu, said today that Equatorial Guinea has "strong hopes" of achieving the extradition. South African authorities arrested Thatcher at his home in Cape Town on Wednesday in connection with the alleged foiled coup plot in this oil-rich West African nation. Equatorial Guinea accuses Thatcher and others of being prime financiers of the alleged plot. "South Africa is cooperating, and they are willing to fight furiously against all mercenaryism and terrorism," Bourthoumieu said. No arrest warrants or formal charges have been announced here, normally among the first steps in a legal extradition. Bourthoumieu said partnership in the African Union and civil conventions should make the extradition between the two countries possible. [more 
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