ID :
195273
Fri, 07/15/2011 - 19:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/195273
The shortlink copeid
Somali pirates holding S. Korean hostages demand release of captured pirates
(ATTN: ADDS comment from another official in last 3 paras)
SEOUL, July 15 (Yonhap) -- Somali pirates holding four South Koreans in a hijacked chemical tanker are demanding that Seoul pay ransom for the hostages and release five pirates captured during a January raid of a seized Korean freighter, an official said Friday.
The four South Koreans are among 25 crew members of the Singapore-registered 21,000-ton MT Gemini that was hijacked on April 30 in waters off Kenya. The seizure came about three months after South Korean naval commandos raided a Korean-owned freighter on Jan. 21 and rescued all 21 crew members.
Eight pirates were killed and five others were captured alive during the raid. The five survivors were then brought to South Korea for trial. In May, they received sentences ranging from 13 years in prison to life imprisonment. All of them have appealed the verdicts.
Captors of the MT Gemini have been demanding that South Korea pay ransom for the four Korean hostages, compensation for the deaths of eight Somali pirates killed during the January operation and release the five pirates being tried in South Korea, a government official said.
"It is out of question to hold negotiations with pirates, and we cannot release the pirates being tried," the official said on the customary condition of anonymity. "It is the Singaporean firm that should hold the negotiations. Our government will deal sternly with this case based on principles."
Another official also said the government cannot get involved in negotiations with pirates.
"Our position is that the Singaporean firm should hold negotiations to win the release of all crew members," the official said.
(END)
SEOUL, July 15 (Yonhap) -- Somali pirates holding four South Koreans in a hijacked chemical tanker are demanding that Seoul pay ransom for the hostages and release five pirates captured during a January raid of a seized Korean freighter, an official said Friday.
The four South Koreans are among 25 crew members of the Singapore-registered 21,000-ton MT Gemini that was hijacked on April 30 in waters off Kenya. The seizure came about three months after South Korean naval commandos raided a Korean-owned freighter on Jan. 21 and rescued all 21 crew members.
Eight pirates were killed and five others were captured alive during the raid. The five survivors were then brought to South Korea for trial. In May, they received sentences ranging from 13 years in prison to life imprisonment. All of them have appealed the verdicts.
Captors of the MT Gemini have been demanding that South Korea pay ransom for the four Korean hostages, compensation for the deaths of eight Somali pirates killed during the January operation and release the five pirates being tried in South Korea, a government official said.
"It is out of question to hold negotiations with pirates, and we cannot release the pirates being tried," the official said on the customary condition of anonymity. "It is the Singaporean firm that should hold the negotiations. Our government will deal sternly with this case based on principles."
Another official also said the government cannot get involved in negotiations with pirates.
"Our position is that the Singaporean firm should hold negotiations to win the release of all crew members," the official said.
(END)
