topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2126.85 0.35
DAX 6383.97 0.69
IBEX 30 6471.3 -1.10
CAC 40 3060.85 0.42
FTSE 100 5382.81 0.58
AEX 294.85 0.71
DJIA 12454.83 -0.60
Nasdaq 2837.53 -0.07
FTSE MIB 13121.72 -0.25
TSX Composite 11576.47 0.09
ASX 4120.2 0.96
Hang seng 18800.99 0.47
Straits Times 2786.67 0.50
ISEQ 20 503.32 0.48
You are here: Home News Community News Spain negotiating with Somalia over pirates: reports

Community News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


10/11/2009Spain negotiating with Somalia over pirates: reports

Spanish media reports the government is looking to transfer the two suspected pirates to Somali and have them stand trial there.

Madrid – The Spanish government is negotiating with Somali authorities over the possible transfer of two suspected pirates held in Spain, Spanish media said Tuesday.

The two were captured and brought to Spain over their alleged role in the seizure of Spanish tuna trawler, the Alakrana, and its 36 crew members on 2 October.

The kidnappers of the Alakrana are demanding the release of the two suspects as well as USD four million dollars (EUR 2.6 million) in ransom.

The crew's families have appealed to Spain's government to negotiate with the kidnappers, who have threatened to kill the hostages.

"The government is working intensively to reach a deal with Somalia to allow the handing over of the two pirates held in Spain," the daily El Pais said, quoting government sources.

The ABC newspaper said Spain "is looking for a deal with the transitional government in Somalia to provide legal coverage for the national court during an eventual extradition" of the suspected pirates.

It said Madrid wanted Somali authorities to guarantee that the two would be put on trial.

The lawyer for one of them, Francisco Javier Diez Aparicio, told Spanish National Radio Tuesday that he would ask the court to order the expulsion of his client, Abdu Willy, to Somalia.

National court judge Baltasar Garzon, who ordered the two transferred to Spain, said "legal channels" existed to resolve the crisis without "giving in to pressure" from the pirates.

The Spanish government has previously ruled out handing over the pirates. But crew members have told Spanish media that the conditions under which they are being held are deteriorating.

Spanish troops monitoring the area off the Somali coast seized the two suspects shortly after they left the Alakrana on a small boat.

Among the 36 crew being held are 16 Spaniards, eight Indonesians as well as others from Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Senegal and the Seychelles.

AFP / Expatica


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating



0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Technology in Spain

Sat phones/internet links

English in Spain

What is the best travel insurance cover to Spain?

American in Spain

U.S. citizens, plan to vote in 2012? Did you know...

Relocation to Spain

thinking of moving to madrid

Jobs in Spain

Job Agencies or how to find work.

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.

Groups and Clubs around Spain

Groups and Clubs around Spain

A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.