Pirates to free Ukrainian ship
2008-12-02 19:09
Mogadishu - A Somali pirate spokesperson says his group will release a Ukrainian cargo ship loaded with tanks and heavy weapons and its 20 crew members within the next two days.
Sugule Ali said by satellite phone on Tuesday that a ransom agreement had been reached for the MV Faina.
The pirate spokesperson declined to say how much it was. The pirates had originally asked for $20m when the MV Faina was hijacked September 25.
Ali said once the pirates receive the ransom and leave the ship safely, it and the crew will be freed.
He was not afraid of international warships intervening because of the amount of arms aboard the ship.
Piracy is rampant off the lawless Somali coast. More than 100 ships have been attacked this year.
- AP