Georgian seamen captured by Somalia pirates complain of aggravated situation

For several days already 15 Georgian seamen are held in captivity by Somalia pirates; they get no food, as reported by Sergo Devadze, father of captain's assistant. According to Sergo, the status of hostages worsened after talks of the lawyer of the Greek company-ship owner with the pirates.

According to Mr Devadze-elder, pirates are humiliating and insulting their hostages, give no food, and often reject observing basic hygienic needs. "The lawyer has once again refused to negotiate the sum of ransom, and only keeps saying that the company is working to resolve the problem. Pirates are extremely irritated with such behaviour on the Greek party," Sergo Devadze told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Anatoli Chidzhavadze, chairman of the trade union of seamen, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that a charity action has been held already for a week to raise money for the ransom aimed at liberation of the Georgian seamen from captivity.

Mr Chidzhavadze has also noted that the seamen's trade unions of Georgia sent a letter to the Greek company and its lawyer, saying that the unions would file a suit against them at the International Court of Justice, if they fail to do everything for release of the seamen from captivity.

He added that the authorities did not plan to allocate any funds to liberate the seamen.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the Ministry and the Georgian Embassy in Greece are working towards resolving the problem. It was also noted that negotiations have a confidential section; therefore, they could give no comments.