Somali Pirates Demand Ransom for Release of Russian Vessel

Pirates holding a Russian vessel off Somalia’s northeast coast have demanded ransom for the release of the ship and crew including four Russians and two Britons, the chief of a fishing village said on Monday.

“The pirates contacted us saying they would release the ship once ransom of thousands of US dollars is paid but they did not specify the amount, said Abdulahi Sa’id Awyusuf, the chief of Eyl, a small coastal village in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland in northeast Somalia.

A radio operator in the village, Muse Aden said the ship was captured on Friday off the coast of Puntland near his village of Eyl, but the news emerged only on Sunday.

“The pirates held the Russian ship identified as Svitser Korsakov and another fishing vessel owned by Oman, which they have been holding for almost two months. They said they would release both if ransom is paid,” he said.

In an interview with a Puntland based radio station, SBC, one of the pirates said the crew aboard the ship was safe.

“They are okay and we would release them once our demand of ransom is met,” he said.

Last year, Somali pirates seized more than two dozen ships, usually demanding ransom, which they often use to help arm powerful clans.

Source African Press Agency

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