22:00, 29 January 2011

Georgia's trade unions raise money to pay ransom to Somalia pirates

French commandos from Frigate "Floreal" arrest Somalia pirates. Photo by www.africanbusinessreview.co.za

In Georgia, trade unions continue raising money to pay ransom to Somalia pirates, who had captured and still keep Georgian sailors. As stated to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Irakli Petriashvili, Chairman of United Trade Unions of Georgia, the pirates would not change their demands and claim one million dollars of ransom.

"Nevertheless, I can guarantee that if the pirates are paid half a million US dollars, that is half the ransom, they will release our fellow citizens," said Irakli Petriashvili.

Currently, in Georgia, they managed to raise only about 50,000 laris (about 27,000 US dollars). The money was raised during public actions. The trade unions set up boxes for donations in public places in all cities of Georgia, the mobile operators "Geocell" and "Beeline" held an action, when a subscriber could make a donation to the ransom by sending an SMS to a certain number. Georgian entrepreneurs also transferred their donations.

Earlier, the pirates did not agree to a part of the amount and threatened to kill the hostages and flood the ship.

Author: Beslan Kmuzov

Source: CK correspondent