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Somali President Urges Military Faction to Release Seized Russian Crew
The Somali interim government Wednesday urged gunmen of a military faction to release two seized Russian fishery boats and their crew.
"My government will do everything within our capacity to secure the release of these vessels and their crewmen," said President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan in the capital Mogadishu.
Seven Russians, three nationals from the former Soviet Union countries, and about 20 Kenyans and their boats were last month seized by gunmen of the Somali National Front in Kismaio, a town about 500 kilometers south of Mogadishu.
It is reported that the crews were involved in a business dispute with local businessmen before they were seized by the militia. The businessmen have reportedly asked for a ransom of 1 million US dollars for the compensation of the Russian boats' illegal operation in Somali waters.
Negotiations are currently going on in Kenya's capital Nairobi on the seizure.
Despite his pledge for the efforts to release the crew, Abdiqasim said some foreign vessels have been taking advantages of the country's war and lawlessness economically.
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