Document #1110550
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
Following the failed coup attempt on 25
November 1981, mercenaries taking part in the operation were
reported to have hijacked an Air India aircraft and proceeded to
South Africa where they were briefly detained and charged with
kidnapping, an offence for which there is no mandatory minimum
sentence in South Africa. [ Facts on File, 4, 2143, (New
York: 11 December 1981), p. 909. ] All 44 mercenaries who fled to
South Africa were reported to be citizens of countries other than
Seychelles. Among those identified, 23 were South African, 9
British, and 5 Zimbabwean. [Ibid., p. 910,] Five of a group of 8
mercenaries who acted as an advance unit were arrested by
Seychellois authorities, but their citizenship was unclear. [
Ibid.]
Given that none of the mercenaries who fled to South Africa have
been identified as Seychellois, it is difficult to corroborate
whether Klet Delpech was amongst them. If he was one of the advance
unit who was captured by Seychellois authorities, he would in all
probability have been prosecuted for attempting to overthrow the
government.
As of 1986, Major Claude Vidot continued to enjoy the confidence
of President René, despite the dismissal of four
high-ranking army officers. [ "Seychelles: Resignations," in
Africa Confidential, 27, 20, (London: 1 October 1986), p.
1.] "Seychelles: Resignations." in Africa Confidential, 27,
20, London: 1 October 1986.
Endnotes