Today the release of the crew from the M/V Leopard – two Danish and four Philippine seamen – held hostage in Somalia was brought about.
Today the release of the crew from the M/V Leopard – two Danish and four Philippine seamen – held hostage in Somalia was brought about.
The foreign minister, Villy S√∏vndal, states:
“I am relieved that the hostages have finally been released. It has been a prolonged and extremely exhausting hostage affair that has marred the seamen and their relatives. We do not yet have all details regarding the condition of the seamen but first and foremost we know they are safe and are given the required care.”
“My thoughts are with the seamen and their relatives and loved ones in Denmark, Chile and the Philippines. They have all been under an extreme duress that only few can apprehend. I therefore appeal to all to give the seamen peace to focus on returning home to a life in freedom and to be with their families after the conclusion of a prolonged period in captivity.”
“I condemn the hostage takers in the strongest possible terms. They are cynical and unscrupulous criminals that deserve to be captured and prosecuted. And even though the international efforts against piracy have limited Somali pirates’ ability to take new hostages, many seamen are still in captivity.”
For further information, please contact:
Henrik R√∏jgaard, press adviser, phone: +45 2046 1463
Via: http://um.dk/
