Pirates demand $20m
2008-09-28 22:56
Mogadishu - A man claiming to be a spokesperson for the Somali pirates who seized a ship laden with Russian tanks said they wanted $20m to release the vessel.
Sugule Ali said others who had made earlier ransom demands did not speak for the particular pirates who hijacked the Ukrainian-operated cargo ship Faina on Thursday.
Ali was speaking to The Associated Press from the deck of the Faina via satellite phone on Sunday.
He also handed the phone to the ship's captain - who also spoke to AP - to prove his location.
Ali said "We want ransom, nothing else. We need $20m for the safe release of the ship and the crew."
Ali also said planes had been flying over the Faina and warned against any nation taking military action to regain the ship.
He said: "If we are attacked, we will defend ourselves until the last one of us dies."
- AP