Fearing possible death penalty they could face after...

Fearing possible death penalty they could face after being extradited to Equatorial Guinea, 70 accused mercenaries held in Zimbabwe Tuesday appealed to South Africa through their lawyers to intervene to block their extradition.
Defense lawyer Alwyn Griebenow told a news conference that the group wanted South Africa to intervene to ensure they got a fair trial and to prevent a possible extradition to the western African country.
South Africa must intervene and speak to the Zimbabwean government to ensure the men are not extradited to a country where they obviously face capital punishment, Griebenow said.
The group, all having South African passports, had been held at the Chikurubi prison in Zimbabwe's capital Harare since being captured at Harare International Airport on March 7 while allegedly trying to acquire arms and ammunition.
They were believed to be involved in a scheme to overthrow Equatorial President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasog, who has ruled Equatorial Guinea for 25 years.