Simon Mann: Trial of British mercenary begins

On the eve of the trial of Simon Mann, the British mercenary accused of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea, the country's President has branded him a "criminal".

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo went on to deny claims that his country sold crude oil to Zimbabwe in exchange for Mr Mann's secret extradition following his arrest in Harare.

Mr Mann, a former SAS officer, is alleged to have led a group of 64 mercenaries planning to overthrow Equatorial Guinea's government in 2004. He was arrested in the Zimbabwean capital the same year.

He denied they were in Harare to collect weapons for a coup, but earlier this year admitted involvement in the conspiracy. Mr Mann, 55, was extradited in February and is being held in Black Beach prison in Equatorial Guinea's capital, Malabo.

"He's a criminal, and we don't have relations with criminal bastards," Mr Obiang told Channel 4 News. Mr Obiang admitted his country had sold oil to Zimbabwe, but said: "There was no contract to give them oil as a condition for them to give us Simon Mann.

"Zimbabwe is an African country, a friend. They have some difficulties because of the international embargo and they are short of energy. So we recognise their action to stop the coup d'etat and we've decided to sell them crude."