[JURIST] Mark Thatcher, son of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was charged Tuesday along with seven others for alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea. Reports differed on whether 51-year-old Thatcher, who is currently being held on charges in South Africa, would be tried in absentia or extradited to face the charges. A defense lawyer for Thatcher reported that he would be tried in absentia, while anonymous government sources in Equatorial Guinea said the country would seek his extradition. Equatorial Guinea has accused Thatcher and others of financing an attempted coup to overthrow the current president of the oil-rich African country. BBC News has background on the alleged coup plot. AP has more.

Previously on JURIST's Paper Chase….

• Thatcher lawyers argue against Equatorial Guinea subpoena in coup case
• Thatcher hearings in Equatorial Guinea coup case to be televised
• Thatcher appeals subpoena to answer Equatorial Guinea questions
• Thatcher to be questioned by Equatorial Guinea in coup case