Angolans face spying charges

The South African embassy in Luanda is implicated

By Lara Pawson in Luanda

Seven Angolans accused of providing top-secret information to two South African diplomats in 1996, have gone on trial in the Angolan capital, Luanda.

The seven are accused of committing crimes against state security and could face prison sentences of up to 20 years. They have all spent a year behind bars.

Six of the defendants are members of the national army. One is a civilian.

The defence lawyer for five of the accused said the two South Africans formerly worked at the South African embassy in Luanda.

This is the first case of espionage in Angola since 1992, when the country's first multi-party elections were held.

Top-secret documents

In 1996, it is alleged that each of the accused passed top-secret information to two South African men, Mr Niger and Mr Danie Nel.

David Mendes, a lawyer defending five of the accused, told the BBC that both South Africans are former first secretaries of the South African embassy in Angola.

Apparently the two diplomats paid the Angolans US dollars for a variety of documents detailing political and military information.

Under Act One of the law, Crimes Against State Security, it states that anyone who provides intelligence to a foreign country or its agents with the aim of promoting war will be imprisoned for between 16 and 20 years.

However, Mr Mendes believes adequate evidence is not available to prove the charges that have been brought against his clients.

Complicated diplomacy

One of his arguments is that Angola has taken no action against either of the South Africans and both men are free to re-enter the country whenever they wish.

Foreign diplomacy is a complicated issue, said Mr Mendes.

Notably, the trial comes on the heels of a bilateral meeting in Spain between Angola and South Africa.

It is not known whether these accusations of espionage were raised; however, the Angolan Foreign Minister, Joao Miranda, said political issues were discussed and that the United States acted as a reputable witness.