Somali Pirates get $1.2 Million from Spain

[Executive]

Page last updated at 20:31 GMT, Saturday, 26 April 2008 21:31 UK
Pirates free crew of Spanish boat

The Playa de Bakio was attacked 400km off the Somali coast

Pirates have released a Spanish fishing boat and its 26 crew members seized off the coast of Somalia last week.

The Playa de Bakio, a Basque tuna fishing boat, was released along with all of its crew on Saturday, the Spanish government says.

Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa de la Vega said the crew were safe and on their way to "safer waters".

She said the release had been achieved through talks. A local official told the BBC a $1.2m ransom had been paid.

"Five men on a speed boat came to the ship and informed the pirates that they were ready to meet their demand of ransom," said Abdi-salam Khalif Ahmed, a local leader in the Somali port town of Haradhere.

"They then boarded the ship and handed a bag with $1.2m to the leader of the pirates."

Ms de la Vega, who did not comment on whether a ransom had been paid, said her government had taken steps to ensure that "a similar situation does not taken place again".

"We must put an end to maritime piracy," she added.

The Basque tuna boat was attacked by pirates armed with grenade launchers about 250 miles (400km) off the coast of Somalia on 20 April.

The government was making plans to repatriate the crew of 13 Spaniards and 13 Africans, Ms de la Vega said.

Somali coastal waters are among the most hazardous in the world.

Last year, more than 25 ships were seized by pirates in Somali coastal waters.

Somalia has not had an effective central government for more than 17 years and is plagued by insecurity.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7369159.stm

[The-Screw]

the world's most expensive tuna is found in Somali waters.

[AbdiWahab252]

Screw,

Not really. How many years were they fishing before getting caught. I bet the load of tuna was worth more than $1.2 million.

[The-Screw]

in a situation like this you do what is best, "Kill one to warn a hundred..."

[MJ-Pride]

* Waiting for Western sympathizers who'd say 'The money is haram' and its illegal to collect money and 'Pirates are giving us bad name'



Ps, what a nice payday. 2 million dollars

[Starscream]

@The Screw,

the Somali seas are not more dangerous than a decade ago, Ok maybe slightly more, but the fishing and sea transport world were aware of the volatile situation on our coast and knew the risks involved. Tens of millions have been pocketed by Somali pirates over the years, many of the money's worth in the form of villas and landcruisers in Bossasso, this is just business as usual, but the sudden media attention after the hijacking of the French luxury yacht makes it seem as if the issue turned more severe.

I was shocked to read that a Spanish fishing vessel was caught in our waters, it meant that Somali piracy didn't have as much effect as a warning mechanism, as I've hoped. So Abdiwahab is right, how much did they steal from us before we sit back with misplaced satisfaction.

[AbdiWahab252]

MJpride,

What about those pirates that hijacked the Dubai Dhow carrying merchant to Bosaso ?


Starscream,

I am telling u their cargo is worth more than $1.2 million.

I have done some research into these pirates and they are the only multiclan diverse group of individuals who operate together in an organized manner.

I would support the Somali Pirate Party if they ran

[Boqor__Daarod]

there hard work protecting the somali seas has paid of they should invest in that money buy a first world war war-ship and patrol the somali seas

[Sista_Afrika]

Im soo proud of them...God bless 'em eh? If the country cant enjoy our riches, why cant a few Somali Pirates?? There like our CIA

[Enlightened~Sista]

What is a Spanish fishing vessel doing in our waters?? surely thats illegal isnt it?? aleeley baga!!

[Starscream]

Starscream,

I am telling u their cargo is worth more than $1.2 million.

I have done some research into these pirates and they are the only multiclan diverse group of individuals who operate together in an organized manner.

I would support the Somali Pirate Party if they ran

Now that you've discovered that a few Hawiye (reer xaradhere) are involved and cooperate with these Somali pirates, suddenly you're all for them. War orod naga seexo ninyahow, it's still an MJ dominated business, so hold your horses.

Flipflopper.

[The_Patriot]

with this the land warlords have their careers back on track
what they need to do is to invest in the high seas and with time i guess all somali clans will want to be stakeholders

[wadaniweyn1]

* Waiting for Western sympathizers who'd say 'The money is haram' and its illegal to collect money and 'Pirates are giving us bad name'



Ps, what a nice payday. 2 million dollars

i bet if the tuna boat was owned by ethiopia u would be saying waa xaraan ee ha loo celiyoo


btw ,, piratesku waa rageedi wallahi tuugta badda somaliya xadaa bey kaga xaariiyaan

[The_Patriot]

Mjpride i was wondering where the mj got geesi nimo to fight above water

[AbdiWahab252]

@ Starscream

I was waiting for you to say that.

Frankly, i don't condone piracy especially those that target Somali merchant vessels and food aid.

But any foreign fishing vessel in Somali waters is fair game.