Somali pirates ‘free arms ship’

Armand Djoualeu

Somali pirates released a Ukrainian ship Thursday carrying tanks, ammunition and crew after receiving a ransom of $3.2 million. The pirates seized the Kenya-bound MV Faina and its crew in September 2008.

The pirates seized the ship in neutral waters near Kenya and Somalia in September. It had been headed to the Kenyan port of Mombasa after departing from Nikolayev, Ukraine, and was hijacked not far from its destination. Early on Thursday groups of pirates began leaving the vessel, reports from Harardhere said. Representatives of the pirates then told journalists that the ship had been freed.

“No huge amount has been paid, but something to cover our expenses,” said one of the pirate leaders, Sugule Ali, to AFP news agency by phone.
The U.S. Navy began monitoring the situation soon after the vessel was captured because of concerns about the dangers that the weapons on board could pose.

Soon after the pirates left on Thursday night, U.S. sailors boarded the Faina to administer first aid, technical assistance and food and water to the crew, Voitenko said.

The American Forces Press Service reported none of the 20-member crew had been harmed.

On Friday, the ship will be refueled, and will head toward Mombasa under the escort of the U.S. Navy.

“All indications we have are that ransom was indeed paid regarding the Faina. Our ships continue to wait on station to monitor the situation in the vicinity of the Faina vessel,” said Nathan Christensen, a spokesman for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

It was not immediately clear whether all the weapons the ship was carrying remained on board.