Somali govt urges pirates to release 7 Indian seafarers

The government of Somalia today appealed to the Somalian pirates to release the 7 Indian seafarers of MV Asphalt Venture, held captive by them.

Somalia's ambassador Ebyan Mahamed Salah, who was in Mumbai today to visit the Somali detainees, has appealed to the pirate leaders to release the 7 innocent Indian seafarers held hostage by them, a statement issued by the directorate general of shipping said.

The Panama-flag vessel carrying 15 crew-members, all Indians, was hijacked by Somali pirates on September 28, 2010. After negotiations with the pirates, the company paid the ransom amount for the release of the crew.

However, on April 15, they released only 8 crew-members, including the captain of the vessel and 7 ratings, but held 7 others captive, to demand release of the pirates, detained by the Indian authority.

Presently, India is holding more than 100 pirates, it has detained mostly during rescue operations.

Salah, after meeting the Somalian detainees in the Taloja prison, expressed confidence that those who are not involved in the act of piracy, would be dealt with sympathetically, the release said.