Region | Somalia
Somali pirates demand $1.4 million ransom for release of French tourists
Somali pirates are demanding a $1.4 million ransom for the release of two French tourists kidnapped a week ago, a maritime group said on Wednesday.
- Agencies
- Published: 13:14 September 10, 2008
Nairobi: Somali pirates are demanding a $1.4 million ransom for the release of two French tourists kidnapped a week ago, a maritime group said on Wednesday.
The East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme said the Somali pirates were using the yacht of French couple, Jean-Yves Delanne and his wife Bernardette, to hunt more victims in waters off the lawless Horn of Africa nation.
"Reports directly from Somalia indicate that the hostages were dropped at the Somali coast near Alula ... from where part of the gang have dragged them to a remote hideout in the Xaabo mountains," the Kenya-based maritime group said in a statement.
The statement said the kidnappers were demanding a ransom "in excess" of $1.4 million to free the two hostages, and were also calling for the release of six pirates seized in April.
“Naval operations or military interventions most likely will risk the lives of the hostages," the group warned.
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