Ransom paid for Spanish trawler in Somalia

Somali pirates holding a Spanish trawler said Tuesday they had received a four million dollar ransom and that the vessel and its 36 crew would be released immediately.

"Four million dollars have been paid for the release of the Spanish ship and we’re in the process of immediately releasing it," Said Abdulle, one of the pirates holding the ship told AFP by phone.

"Technically, the ship is free. We’re in the process of checking the money," Abdulle said from Harardhere, a pirate lair in northern Somalia.

He added that the group holding the trawler, the Alakrana, was in agreement over the release.

’Technically, the ship is free’

The Alakrana’s captain, Ricardo Blach, said told Spanish public radio RNE earlier on Tuesday that the crew were "all in good health".

He said dozens of pirates were aboard the trawler, including the gang’s leaders.

The tuna fishing vessel was hijacked on October 2.

The pirates have also demanded the release of two members of their gang who were arrested by Spanish marines after they left the captured Alakrana aboard a small boat.

The suspects, who were flown to Spain, are expected to be deported to Somalia after a swift trial, Spanish judicial sources said Monday.

They were formally charged with 36 counts of illegal detention and theft with violence and use of weapons, and ordered to stand trial before the National Court.

The move responded to demands by prosecutors to have the two put on trial "as soon as possible."

Judicial sources quoted by Spanish media said the trial could take place within two weeks.

If they are condemned to a term of less than six years, under Spanish law they could be deported to Somalia without serving any more time in Spain.

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