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Pirates release ship for 'ransom' | Pirates release ship for 'ransom' |
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Somali pirates have released a Togo-flagged cargo ship seized last week, reportedly after a $100,000 (£68,000) ransom was paid. | Somali pirates have released a Togo-flagged cargo ship seized last week, reportedly after a $100,000 (£68,000) ransom was paid. |
The 5,000-tonne Lebanese-owned MV Sea Horse was taken by gunmen in several skiffs on 14 April east of Mogadishu. | The 5,000-tonne Lebanese-owned MV Sea Horse was taken by gunmen in several skiffs on 14 April east of Mogadishu. |
The ship had been heading to Mumbai, India, to pick up food aid for Somalia. | The ship had been heading to Mumbai, India, to pick up food aid for Somalia. |
Nineteen foreign vessels and more than 300 sailors remain in the hands of Somali pirates, who have stepped up attacks on shipping in recent weeks. | Nineteen foreign vessels and more than 300 sailors remain in the hands of Somali pirates, who have stepped up attacks on shipping in recent weeks. |
About three million people - half the Somali population - need assistance, donors say. | About three million people - half the Somali population - need assistance, donors say. |
"Somali traders were involved in the release of this ship. They mediated and paid some money. I think it was not more than $100,000," a source told Reuters news agency by telephone. | "Somali traders were involved in the release of this ship. They mediated and paid some money. I think it was not more than $100,000," a source told Reuters news agency by telephone. |
Islam says if you become a pirate you should definitely be killed because you are killing the people Abdurrahman Haji AdamDeputy prime minister Somali piracy: Global overview | Islam says if you become a pirate you should definitely be killed because you are killing the people Abdurrahman Haji AdamDeputy prime minister Somali piracy: Global overview |
The World Food Programme said the cargo ship had been released on Friday. | The World Food Programme said the cargo ship had been released on Friday. |
At the weekend, Nato foiled two pirate attacks - the latest in a string of successful Western military operations against the gangs. | At the weekend, Nato foiled two pirate attacks - the latest in a string of successful Western military operations against the gangs. |
Warships and helicopters prevented an attempt by raiders to board a Norwegian tanker after a seven-hour overnight pursuit in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday. | Warships and helicopters prevented an attempt by raiders to board a Norwegian tanker after a seven-hour overnight pursuit in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday. |
And the day before, Dutch commandos freed 20 pirate hostages from Yemen. | And the day before, Dutch commandos freed 20 pirate hostages from Yemen. |
But sea brigands also managed to seize a Belgian ship - the MV Pompei - on Saturday and were steering it towards the Somali coast. | But sea brigands also managed to seize a Belgian ship - the MV Pompei - on Saturday and were steering it towards the Somali coast. |
Cat and mouse | Cat and mouse |
The first Belgian ship to be seized by Somali pirates, its crew include a Dutch captain, two Belgians, three Filipinos and four Croatians. | The first Belgian ship to be seized by Somali pirates, its crew include a Dutch captain, two Belgians, three Filipinos and four Croatians. |
On Sunday, the Somali government said captured pirates could face the death penalty. | On Sunday, the Somali government said captured pirates could face the death penalty. |
Somali pirates seized their first Belgian ship at the weekend | Somali pirates seized their first Belgian ship at the weekend |
"Becoming a pirate is a crime, and Islam says if you become a pirate you should definitely be killed because you are killing the people," said Somalia's deputy prime minister, Abdurrahman Haji Adam, reported AP news agency. "We will announce it immediately." | "Becoming a pirate is a crime, and Islam says if you become a pirate you should definitely be killed because you are killing the people," said Somalia's deputy prime minister, Abdurrahman Haji Adam, reported AP news agency. "We will announce it immediately." |
However, the internationally recognised government only controls a small part of the capital and little other territory. | However, the internationally recognised government only controls a small part of the capital and little other territory. |
Meanwhile, the mother of a teenage pirate held in US custody over the hostage-taking of an American sea captain this month has appealed to US President Barack Obama to release her son, who she says is aged just 16. | |
In an interview with the BBC, Adar Abdurahman Hassan said her son, Abde Wale Abdul Kadhir Muse, was innocent and she wanted to be present if he was put on trial. | In an interview with the BBC, Adar Abdurahman Hassan said her son, Abde Wale Abdul Kadhir Muse, was innocent and she wanted to be present if he was put on trial. |
Richard Phillips, the US captain of the Maersk Alabama, was rescued when US Navy snipers shot dead three pirates holding him in a lifeboat. | Richard Phillips, the US captain of the Maersk Alabama, was rescued when US Navy snipers shot dead three pirates holding him in a lifeboat. |
Abde Wale Abdul Kadhir Muse survived because he was on board an American warship negotiating with US officials at the time. | Abde Wale Abdul Kadhir Muse survived because he was on board an American warship negotiating with US officials at the time. |
Mrs Hassan said her son had been missing for two weeks prior to the hijacking and she only realised he had been implicated when she heard his name in a radio report. | Mrs Hassan said her son had been missing for two weeks prior to the hijacking and she only realised he had been implicated when she heard his name in a radio report. |
Somali pirates have hijacked about a dozen ships since the start of April, despite the presence of around 20 foreign naval vessels in the area. | Somali pirates have hijacked about a dozen ships since the start of April, despite the presence of around 20 foreign naval vessels in the area. |
Shipping companies last year handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments to the gangs. | Shipping companies last year handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments to the gangs. |
The Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed piracy to thrive. | The Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed piracy to thrive. |
In the maritime game of cat and mouse, international naval patrols struggle to cover the vast areas of ocean where the gangs operate. | In the maritime game of cat and mouse, international naval patrols struggle to cover the vast areas of ocean where the gangs operate. |