British couple held by Somali pirates "could be free within days"

Created by sue. Last modified on 2010-03-06 20:19:31
Topic: Piracy Reports 2010
Countries: Somalia

As reported by the Telegraph

Paul and Rachel Chandler, the British couple who have been held hostage by Somali pirates for more than four months, could be free within days, according to a member of the country's administration.

Professor Mohamed Omar Dalha, deputy speaker of the parliament in the East African state, has claimed that negotiations for the pair's release were progressing quickly and pledged that they would be freed "within ten days", according to the Daily Mail.

The gang that kidnapped the Chandlers from their yacht have said they want a £1.3million ransom and have threatened to shoot the couple if they don't get the money. But Professor Dalha claimed the pirates were close to relenting and releasing the Chandlers, whose health has suffered greatly since their detention began.

"We have sent a representative to Haradheere (the district of Somalia where the Chandlers are being held) and for the past week talks with the pirates have been going on day and night," he told the Daily Mail. "We are appealing to them through their traditional and religious leaders, as well as their own brothers and sisters - people they know and trust - and at last they are listening. "We are optimistic that the Chandlers will be released within a week or ten days at most, without condition. I am absolutely confident that by the end of next week they will be on their way home to Britain."

Mr Chandler, 60, and his wife, 56, were captured on Oct 23 as they sailed from the Seychelles to Tanzania.