Somali pirates are threatening to kill the British couple they abducted several months ago. Dockwalk.com reported the abduction of Paul and Rachel Chandler in late October 2009, as they were leaving the Seychelles headed for Tanzania. The couple had been sailing the Indian Ocean for two years prior on their 38-foot yacht, Lynn Rival. The local coast guard picked up the boat’s emergency beacon on Friday, October 22, but found no trace of the Chandlers. Later, it was reported that a pirate, known only as “Hassan,” said his group had the couple, who were both healthy, but ransom demands would follow.
And follow they did; varying reports claim that the pirates are asking for three to seven million dollars.
TheHuffingpost.com reported that in an interview broadcast, the Chandlers, who were surrounded by armed men, said they fear that if the ransom is not soon paid, the pirates will either kill them or hand them over to a terrorist group.
The British government refuses to pay ransom to any kidnappers, reports TheHuffingpost.com. Mrs. Chandler stated in the interview that the captors are becoming impatient as no one has contacted them to begin negotiations.
According to TheHuffingpost.com, Mr. Chandler said that the couple is in reasonable health and unharmed. However, Shortnews.com reported, “Chillingly, [the pirates] revealed that 55-year-old Mrs. Chandler is in urgent need of medical assistance after sustaining a savage physical assault. One pirate claimed they will both be killed by March if there is no deal,” and also reported that the couple is suffering in terrible conditions.
Regardless, the Foreign Affairs Office said it will stand firmly by its policies on ransom. Watch this space.
UPDATE
January 24, 2010
According to Timesonline.co.uk “Somali pirates yesterday threatened a fight to the death that would endanger a hostage British couple if British forces attempt to rescue their captives. 'We die first before they get freed,' said one of the pirates, contacted by satellite telephone.”
The pirates made these threats after it was reported that the Special Boat Service was sending a rescue mission for the couple. The pirates advise against any attempt at rescue.
It was also reported that the pirates had lowered the amount of the ransom from the original $7 million to $2 million.
Read the full article here.
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