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| Arabia |
| Appeal to Saleh to End Nine-Month Hostage Ordeal |
| 2010-11-09 |
| Pressure after Crew Member Commits Suicide The National Organization for Defending Rights and Freedoms (HOOD) has appealed to Yemeni President-for-Life Saleh to take action over the safety of the Yemen crew of a ship that was hijacked by Somali pirates in March this year. The appeal came after the organization said it had been informed that one of the crew members done away with himself while in the custody of the pirates. The pirates contacted the crew families and warned them that their relatives will be executed if a ransom is not given soon, it said, adding that the pirates threaten they will kill the crew and trade with their organs. They are demanding a $ 1-million ransom which is too much and impossible to be paid by the crew families, it said. In its letter to Saleh, HOOD said: "We appeal to you Mr President to release the Yemeni crew members and investigate them over their right negligence." Almost 9 sailors including two officers were taken hostage after the Somali pirates took over their ship, Ice Berge, that was sailing under Panamanian flag on March 27, 2010. The ship had been sending distress signals and walking along the coastline for three days, but coastguard told it they would not face the pirates on the ground they act under direct orders from President Saleh, the organization said. "So far, one of the crew members has done away with himself under stress as the pirates are continuing to maltreat the Yemenis." Their families have been following up their issue, but there was no response by the authorities, it concluded. |
| Posted by:Fred |