Somali pirates holding a ship laden with Russian tanks were believed to be preparing to release the vessel last night after being paid up to $3.5 million (£2.3 million), the biggest ransom on record. The MV Faina was hijacked more than four months ago.
US warships and helicopters have kept a watch amid fears that her 33 T72 tanks and other weaponry could fall into the hands of Islamists who are waging a bloody insurgency on land.
Last night Andrew Mwangura, of the East African Seafarers Association, said that talks to free the Ukrainian-operated vessel and her 20-strong crew had concluded. “We hear they are counting the money but I don’t want to say any more until the crew is on dry land,” he added. “The ship could be released in the middle of the night or at daybreak.”
Up to 50 pirates may have been involved. The ship’s Russian captain died soon after the hijacking from a stroke, according to the first mate.
Small dinghies brought food and water from the mainland to the 150m long vessel to feed the crew of Ukrainians, Russians and a Latvian. The pirates made sure they could celebrate the end of Ramadan by bringing aboard a consignment of goats to barbecue on deck.
So they're not just some reckless, nihilistic pirates out for booty? They actually follow Islamic customs? One would think that, if they were pious enough to properly celebrate Ramadan, they would not engage in such barbarous acts as piracy -- unless, of course, piracy vis-a-vis infidels is permitted in Islam. And it is.
These pirates are good practicing muslims. That is a good muslim is a terrorist.
10 years ago
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