Ukraine urged to pay ransom

2008-10-13 19:04

Kiev - Angry relatives of the crew on a hijacked Ukrainian arms ship are pressing the government to pay the multi-million dollar ransom demanded by Somali pirates.

About a dozen relatives are accusing Ukrainian authorities of inaction in the crisis, which has dragged on for more than two weeks. They are seeking a meeting with President Viktor Yushchenko and on Monday threatened to sleep on the steps of his office until he meets with them.

The pirates have vowed to destroy the cargo ship MV Faina on Monday night or early Tuesday if the ransom was not paid. The pirates had demanded up to $20m to free the 20 hostages, but in recent days they have reduced their ransom demands to $8m.

- SAPA