Press Trust of India
Sunday, April 17, 2011
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New Delhi, Apr 17 (PTI) OMCI Ship Management today expressed disappointment over the Somali pirates retaining seven of its crew members as hostage in retaliation for the arrests of their men by the Indian Navy.Somali pirates who took a multi-million dollar ransom for hijacked Indian freighter MT Asphalt Venture, have released eight of the 15 Indian crew members after over six months.
"The owners of the Asphalt Venture have expressed deep disappointment over the pirates reneging on their word. This is despite meeting all demands of the negotiated settlement and paying the mutually agreed ransom," OMCI Ship Management said in a statement.
"The owners appeal to the pirates to honour their word and immediately release the 6 officers and 1 crew member," it added.
The Mumbai-based company had earlier said it was making contact with all the families of the captives to explain the situation and have assured them that all steps are being taken for their safe release.
The ship owners had earlier said that the pirates released the ship and eight of the crew members but added they were in the dark over why the other crew members were not allowed to leave as also over their whereabouts.
"All owners of other ships hijacked by pirates which are still captive in Somalia will lose faith in the negotiation process, unless those taken from the Asphalt Venture are returned immediately and allowed to sail with their fellow seafarers," the statement said.
The asphalt/bitumen tanker was hijacked by pirates on its way to South Africa from Kenya, southeast of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania on September 28, 2010. Eight of the captives were released on April 15 after over six months of negotiations.
The Indian navy has seized around 120 pirates, mostly from Somalia, over the past few months. Last month the Indian navy captured 61 pirates when they attacked a naval ship.
Source: PTI JD