Equatorial Guinea frees a sick South African

Foreign Affairs has expressed its gratitude to the government of Equatorial Guinea for releasing Marius Boonzaaier, one of the men found guilty of being involved in a attempted coup in that country in 2004. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema pardons prisoners every year on his birthday and Boonzaaier was released on humanitarian grounds on Monday because he has been ill for some time and requires surgery. He is one of 11 men arrested and charged with involvement in the alleged coup plot. Three South Africans have so far been pardoned. Boonzaaier is expected to arrive in South Africa soon.