UN inquiry into New Zealander's death in Ivory Coast

The United Nations will send an inquiry team into war-torn Ivory Coast after a pathologist yesterday conducted an autopsy on the body of New Zealand "mercenary" Hamish Sands, who died in a rebel prison.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said the UN in New York had agreed to the mission to Africa, accompanied by London-based New Zealand diplomat Brian Johnston.

Mr Sands, 36, from Hawke's Bay, who was discharged from the French Foreign Legion, was initially threatened with execution after the rebel New Forces arrested him last month, accusing him of planning to assassinate their leader.

After his family blamed emotional problems for his mercenary claims, the New Forces softened their tone and appeared on the verge of releasing him - before he was unexpectedly transferred to a tougher prison and died.

There is no report back from the pathologist in the government-held capital city of Abidjan - it is not expected for several days - so Mr Goff said he did not yet know whether anyone was to blame for the death.

"If the autopsy and the inquiry point to someone being culpable for Hamish Sands' death, we will be asking the New Forces to hold those people to account," he said. "We're negotiating with a group that appears to be factionalised - it appears the leaders weren't aware of the decision by prison police to transfer Mr Sands.

"The [New Forces] authorities have promised to cooperate with the inquiry. I think they are embarrassed - they would have liked to stage a high-profile release."

The UN mission is expected to visit the New Forces' headquarters, and inspect Mr Sands' original prison in Bouake and the one where he died in Korhogo.

The New Forces and the government of Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo signed a deal last week to end fighting that has split the country since 2002.

- Herald on Sunday