Somali Pirates Demand 1.1 Million for Dutch Crew

The pirates deserve a one way ticket to paradise hell via a few hellfire missiles. Reuters

BOSASSO, Somalia, June 3 (Reuters) - Gunmen holding a Dutch-owned ship off northern Somalia demanded a $1.1 million ransom for the vessel on Tuesday, a day after the U.N. Security Council gave countries the right to combat piracy off the coast.

The MV Amiya Scan, managed by the Dutch Reider Shipping BV, was hijacked by Somali pirates on May 25 as it made its way to Romania from the Kenyan port city of Mombasa.

"The pirates holding the Dutch ship demand a ransom of $ 1.1 million while the owners say they are willing to pay $700,000," said a close ally of the pirates who gave his name only as Abdullahi. The company was not immediately available to comment.

....

"Negotiations are ongoing and the crew are in good health," Abdullahi added about the nine Russians and Filipinos.

Abdullahi said he took food and other goods to the gunmen who were holed up in Eyl, a fishing town along the Indian Ocean.

Hijackings are common in the chaotic country's un-patrolled waters, where pirates normally treat their hostages well in anticipation of hefty ransoms.

The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Monday authorising some countries to conduct anti-piracy actions in Somali waters after a surge in hijackings.

Late last week, Somali pirates seized two freighters although little was known about the vessels, residents said.

Hijacking ships is good business in Somalia which has been without an effective central government since 1991.