Simon Mann Simon Mann Simon Francis Mann (born 26 June 1952) is a former British Army officer and mercenary. He served part of a 34-year prison sentence in Equatorial Guinea for his role in a failed coup d'état in 2004, before receiving a presidential pardon on humanitarian grounds on 2 November 2009. Mann was extradited from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea on 1 February 2008, having been accused of planning a "coup d'état" to overthrow the government by leading a mercenary force into the capital Malabo in an effort to overthrow President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Charges in South Africa of aiding a
LGBT rights in Equatorial Guinea sexual orientation; however, societal stigmatization and traditional discrimination against gay men and lesbians was strong, and the government made little effort to combat it". LGBT rights in Equatorial Guinea Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Equatorial Guinea may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in Equatorial Guinea, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available as opposite-sex couples. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Equatorial Guinea. Same-sex couples have no legal recognition. There is no protection against