The trial of Simon Mann

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea: Simon Mann testifies near a photograph of the man he plotted to overthrow , President Teodoro Obiang Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP

Harare, 9 March 2004: A Boeing 727-L100 at the Manyame military airfield. Zimbabwean authorities seized the allegedly US-registered cargo plane, saying it was carrying 64 suspected mercenaries and military equipment Photograph: AP

Harare, 8 March 2004: Members of the Zimbabwean military are seen aboard the plane Photograph: Reuters

Harare, 24 March 2004: Simon Mann (left) leaves the court at the Chikurubi maximum security prison Photograph: AFP

Harare, 2004: Some of the group of alleged mercenaries are escorted to a court hearing at the Chikurubi maximum security prison Photograph: AP

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, 2004: South African Nick du Toit, one of the men accused of plotting the coup, arrives at court. Du Toit was one of the only people arrested to admit playing a part in the plot and was sentenced to 34 years in prison Photograph: Desirey Minkoh/AFP

Cape Town, 18 February 2005: Mark Thatcher arrives at Wynberg court to answer allegations that he was involved in the attempted coup Photograph: Obed Zilwa/AP

Madrid, Spain, 2005: Equatorial Guinea's exiled opposition leader, Severo Moto, was sentenced in absentia over the plot Photograph: Pedro Armestre /AFP

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea: Mann sits with fellow defendants during the trial Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell /AP

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, June 2008: Mann pictured during his trial Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell /AP

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea: Weapons and equipment are displayed in court in June 2008 Photograph: AP

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea: Mann answers questions from defence lawyers in June 2008 Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell /AP

Mann (left) listens to the pardon ceremony at the Black Beach prison in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from which he was released today. Four other men jailed for taking part in the failed 2004 coup attempt against President Obiang have also been pardoned Photograph: Teobaldo Nchaso

Mann listens to the pardon ceremony at the Black Beach prison Photograph: Teobaldo Nchaso