Fishermens' families demand the release of captured Somali pirates
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By h.b. - Nov 6, 2009 - 3:54 PM
The Government has said that the crew of the 'Alakrana' are well

The families of the crew members of the Spanish tuna fishing boat, ‘Alakrana’, taken hostage by Somali pirates over a month ago are demanding the release of the two captured men who have been imprisoned by the National Court in Madrid.

They have called a demonstration for Saturday in Bermeo, and say they are desperate as the situation has become critical. Three of the crew have been taken ashore by their captors, with the threat of being killed unless there is progress in the next three days. Meanwhile drinking water is reported to have run out for those let on the ship.

In a press conference today the families called on the political parties to ‘work together’ to resolve the crisis.

Reports indicate that an intermediary being used to contact the kidnappers is no longer involved, and that the latest turn of events has caught the Spanish government off guard.

Deputy Prime Minister, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, said after today’s cabinet meeting that the Government would not close any doors in the effort to free the ship. She said that intelligence services had confirmed that the crew were well and insisted that diplomatic contacts were key in the case. She also criticised the Partido Popular for their lack of institutional loyalty in the matter. She warned that it was a ‘difficult situation’ and could last for some time, and said she respected the criticisms from the family although they could be unjust.

Earlier the Secretary of State for Defence, Constantino Méndez, had said that the transfer of the captured pirates was ‘not negotiable’.

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