Somali pirate attack

Pirates demand ransom for Spanish ship, crew

Article published on the 2009-10-14 Latest update 2009-10-14 12:57 TU

Spanish fishing vessel Alakrana in Indian Ocean waters
(Photo: Reuters)

Somali pirates who have held a Spanish tuna trawler for the past 12 days have demanded 2.8 million euros for the release of the ship and its crew of 36. The pirates also demand the release of two colleagues in Spanish custody.

Thirty-year-old pirate Abdi Yare told the AFP wire service about the demands by phone from the coastal village of Harardhere, where Spanish trawler the Alakrana is anchored.

"We also demand four million US dollars (2.8 million euros) as a payment for illegally fishing in Somalia,” Yare said. “The amount of fish they have stolen from Somalia is more than the amount of the ransom we have demanded.”

The two pirates in Spanish custody were captured by the navy after leaving the Alakrana on a smaller boat. They arrived Monday in Spain, where prosecutors want to try them for their role in the 2 October hijacking.

The 100-metre boat was seized in high seas between Somalia and the Seychelles as calmer waters at the end of the monsoon season made vessels more vulnerable to attacks.

Spanish fleet owners have requested that marines be stationed on board their fishing vessels, arguing that French vessels have had marines on board since July.

French marines on board two tuna trawlers in the Indian Ocean opened fire to repel a dawn pirate attack on Tuesday, the second such incident in a week, the ships' owner said.

Shipping firm Saupiquet said marines fired warning shots at two pirate skiffs pursuing the trawlers, Via Avenir and Via Mistral 900 kilometres from the Somali coast. It said the launches, carrying four or five pirates, appeared to have given up the chase.