The Zimbabwe Guardian (London)
30 June 2008
THE government of Equatorial Guinea has issued an international warrant for the arrest of Lebanese businessman Ely Calil for his involvement in the 2004 coup-plot to oust the democratically elected government of Equatorial Guinea headed by His Excellency President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the Zimbabwe Guardian has learnt.
The government of Equatorial Guinea categorically states that it has not contemplated, and or withdrawn its civil suit against Calil in the United Kingdom as recently reported by some media houses.
The Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in the United Kingdom under specific instructions from its government has stressed it will continue to pursue Calil for his criminal involvement in the 2004 coup attempt as organizer, intellectual conspirator, architect and financier.
"We reject any statements purporting that the government of Equatorial Guinea has withdrawn its civil case in the United Kingdom," said a statement from Malabo, the capital.
The government of Equatorial Guinea says it has ample evidence to prove Calil's involvement in the 2004 botched coup, including documentation showing:
The transfer of US$1M from Calil to the bank account of British mercenary Simon Mann who is now awaiting a verdict in Equatorial Guinea for leading a team of mercenaries to overthrow the democratically elected government of Equatorial Guinea in 2004.
That Calil's associates were on broad the plane that transported exiled Equatoguinean politician Severo Moto to Mali where they waited to usurp power in Equatorial Guinea before installing Moto as the new president of Equatorial Guinea.
Moto, who was tried in absentia in 2004 and sentenced to 62 years for crimes against the state of Equatorial Guinea, has been recently charged with smuggling weapons to Equatorial Guinea in Spain.
The government of Equatorial Guinea also says it has clear evidence of Calil's support of the failed 2004 coup and will continue to pursue him until justice is served.
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