Mann points the finger at Thatcher

Mann described his one-time friend and neighbour as part of the so-called "Wonga coup's" "management team" which attempted to overthrow the president of Equatorial Guinea in 2004.

Taking the stand for the first time, Mann also said the Spanish and South African governments had given a "green light" to the project.

Seventy suspected mercenaries, including Mann were arrested at Harare airport in Zimbabwe in March 2004 as they prepared to pick up their weapons en route to the alleged coup.

Thatcher was later fined and given a four-year suspended jail sentence in South Africa after pleading guilty to breaking the country's anti-mercenary laws. He claimed he had only financed a helicopter which he believed was to be used as an air ambulance.

Since his extradition from Zimbabwe in January, Mann has been held at Equatorial Guinea's Black Beach prison.

Channel 4 News has the only camera in the courtroom in the capital Malabo.

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