Pirates demand ransom for Russian sailors captured in Gulf of Guinea
Russian sailors held hostage by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea are still alive. Their kidnappers are demanding ransom for them.
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| Illustration: Sputnik |
On the night of January 2, pirates attacked the container ship MSC Mandy in the Gulf of Guinea. There were 24 people on board, including 23 Russian citizens and one Ukrainian citizen, 6 of whom were kidnapped.
"The pirates demanded a ransom. This is quite clear. They are currently determining where to transfer the money and release the people. However, there is still no information about where the Russian sailors are being held. Usually they are held in the jungle," said Mr. Fishov.
"When demanding ransom, pirates often give negotiators (the shipowners do not negotiate directly but through intermediaries, usually such companies are based in the UK) the opportunity to guarantee that the crew is still alive and well. These are normal moves. The payment of ransom and the release of the people often happen at the same time," the ITF coordinator added.
Mr. Fishov did not give details about when the next contact with the pirates would be made. He also did not specify the total ransom amount.
"This is a matter of price negotiation, in any case the intermediary will reduce the price and eventually come to a compromise based on reality," he concluded.