Thursday, September 25, 2014

"Somali Pirates Fight Over Ransom After Release of Journalist"

From Reuters via gCaptain:
Six people were killed in central Somalia in a gunfight over a supposed ransom payment tied to the release this week of a German-U.S. journalist held hostage in Somalia for more than two years, police said on Thursday.

The journalist, Michael Scott Moore, 45, was kidnapped by armed militia in the city of Galkayo in January 2012 while researching a book on piracy. After his release this week, local Somali officials said they were not unaware of any ransom paid.

A local militiaman, Zakaria Farah, told Reuters the ransom had totalled $2 million although he did not say who had made the payment. He played down the shooting, calling it “accidental,” and said any issues surrounding the payment had been resolved....MORE
Tangentially related:
"Somali sea gangs lure investors at pirate lair" and "A comparison of Piracy and Private Equity"
"Dealing with Pirates (and terrorists) Russian Style"
UPDATED: Time to Go Pirate Hunting: "Somali pirates kill 4 American boaters"
The secret Somalia anti-piracy force
Oil: Somali Pirates Seize Supertanker, Smoke the Khat, Head for Home
Invest in Beautiful Somalia
Somali Jihadi's Put a Price on Obama's, Hillary's Heads
Indian navy destroys 'pirate ship'