11:20, 22 November 2008

Somali pirates set free six citizens of Georgia

Somali pirates received ransom and released tanker "Jenius", captured on September 27. Among the crew members there are six citizens of Georgia.

The talks with the pirates were held by the Greek company - the owner of the ship, which operates under the Nigerian flag. The ransom sum is not disclosed. It is expected that "Jenius", which sailed from Europe to the Middle East, will arrive in the port of Dubai as soon as November 25.

Earlier, Eteri Kamarauli, head of the Consular Department of Georgian MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), reported that the deal was made by the company-owner and pirates on ransom sum. Ms Kamarauli added that the state of health of the hostages onboard the "Jenius" was satisfactory, they had food and water. According to the diplomat, currently, 18 more citizens of Georgia are in Somali pirates' captivity; the talks on their release continue.

Now pirates still keep 17 captured ships under control. In total, this year they made more than 90 attacks, the CNN TV Channel reports.

See earlier report "Somalia promises to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia".