Word: coupes
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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South Africa spares the leaders of a coup attempt...
...Cabinet meeting earlier endorsed the unconditional freeing of 39 of the 44 mercenaries, who were warned to keep a low profile and not to discuss the coup attempt. The other five, including the raid's leader, Colonel Michael ("Mad Mike") Hoare, 62, a veteran mercenary who achieved renown of a sort in the Congo during the '60s, got off lightly. Instead of being charged with hijacking, which could have brought a mandatory sentence of five to 30 years, the five were accused of kidnaping, a lesser crime with no mandatory penalty. Moreover, the charge may not stick, since...
...major industrialized nations that would cut air flights to countries that harbor hijackers. As expected, the loudest protests came from Seychelles President Albert René. After forlornly requesting extradition of the raiders, he asked the United Nations to conduct an inquiry and charged again that Pretoria had organized the coup. That accusation was buttressed by a Durban newspaper report that several of the mercenaries were South African policemen...
...nation of 92 islands 1,000 miles off the East African coast, say that there were 52 raiders in all. Some had apparently arrived in Mahé", the main island, earlier and were lying low in hotels when the main body of mercenaries landed, posing as rugby players. The coup was then triggered prematurely when a mercenary's gun was discovered. Since the ensuing airport Shootout, at least 500 visiting tourists have been confined to the islands' luxury hotels. Five mercenaries have been arrested, leaving perhaps three others dead or hiding in the hills from the continuing security...
...five arrested mercenaries were paraded for a programmed press conference. Fated for a show trial and under heavy guard, they wore handcuffs that bit into their wrists. To no one's surprise, they accused former Seychelles President James Mancham, exiled after René's successful 1977 coup, of arranging the raid. Mancham denied the charge, but his denial was damaged when one of the arrested mercenaries was found to have a tape recording of his voice intended for broadcast after a successful coup...