Equatorial Guinea's (Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial) President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo addressed the second regular session of the House of Representatives of the People in Bata and stated the following regarding the judicial process and prosecution of a group of men accused of involvement in the terrorist attack and attempted coup d'etat on February 17, 2009 by armed assault on the Presidential Palace in Malabo:"The trial during the week of August 13th was no different from those held in courts in other parts of the world. They have respected and complied with the laws in force in Equatorial Guinea, the proceedings of the legal process were transparent, impartial, with guarantees for defense and resources as necessary. It was a trial with all the judicial proceedings that have been established in the country since the declaration of the multiparty system.
"Equatorial Guinea has not abolished the death penalty. The pardons and commutations of sentences do not represent a weakness or tolerance of our legal system, but rather it is an effort to rehabilitate those who have violated the principles underpinning the state of law in Equatorial Guinea. The laws and tribunals have been established for many reasons, the most important being to maintain peace, security, political and social balance and economic development for the welfare of the people. If we must take exceptional measures to uphold these in the future, we will do so."
Source: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
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