National
Spanish Ministry for Defence claims 'Alakrana' pirates escaped by two minutes
By h.b. - Nov 19, 2009 - 6:56 AM
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Minister for Defence, Carme Chacón, at a press conference on Tuesday - EFE
The home town of the pirates, Haradhere, is now celebrating a spending boom
One of the pirates who took part in the negotiations for the release of the ‘Alakrana’ Basque tuna fishing boat and her crew has claimed that they were not shot at by the Spanish navy after the ransom was paid, as has been reported.
Jama Adam said that the military helicopter from the ‘Canarias’ frigate spent its time protecting the fishing boat, but the Ministry for Defence has said it has evidence to the contrary.
On Wednesday the Chief of Defence Staff, José Julio Rodríguez Fernández, gave details of the operation and said the pirates would have been captured had they had two minutes more time after the captain advised them by phone that the pirates had left the ship.
Whether shots were fired or not what is not in doubt is that the pirates escaped and now the city where they came from, Haradhere, is reported to be celebrating a brisk upturn in spending. Eight of the pirates are reported to have married.
Meanwhile the Prosecutors’ Office of the National Court in Spain has said they want to investigate those involved in the negotiations for the payment of the ransom, including the lawyers in London. The crew of the ‘Alakrana’ will be invited to act as witnesses.