This Day in History: August 25, 2004
Additional Date: August 25, 2004
Mark Thatcher, the son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was arrested at his Cape Town home on 25 August 2004. Thatcher was charged under South Africa's anti-mercenary laws in connection with an alleged coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea. He was released later in the day on R2 million bail.
Thatcher was accused of providing about $275 000 (R1.8m) to finance the botched coup in Equatorial Guinea.He denied any involvement and claimed to have been unaware what the money would be used for. His defence was that he thought the money he gave would be used for an air ambulance to help impoverished Africans. This excuse was rejected by the court and he was found guilty and sentenced to a five years suspended sentence and fined £300 000.