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Africa Horn
Somalia jails Britons, American over pirate cash
2011-06-20
[Emirates 24/7] A Somali court has placed in durance vile six foreigners including three Britons and an American for illegally carrying millions of dollars into the country to pay ransoms for the release of vessels held by pirates.

Authorities in the Horn of Africa country, where a lack of effective central government has allowed piracy to boom off its shores, seized two aircraft carrying $3.6 million in the capital Mogadishu late last month.

"We sentenced the two pilots, who are American and British nationals, to fifteen years imprisonment and a $15,000 fine each," the Mogadishu court's judge Hashi Elmi told Rooters late on Saturday.

The charges were illegally bringing money into the country, carrying cash intended to pay ransoms and landing in Mogadishu without the correct papers.

The four others, among them two Kenyans, were handed ten years jail terms and fines of $10,000 each, Elmi said. The cash and two aircraft were now the property of Somalia's government, he added.
A clever way to benefit from piracy without turning pirate themselves. Is this new, or have they been doing it for a while without being noticed?
Maritime piracy costs the global economy up to $12 billion annually and has spawned numerous private security businesses offering armed protection for vessels and conducting ransom drops.

Cash ransoms are usually dropped onto captured vessels from light aircraft.

It was the first time Westerners have been sentenced for involvement in ransom payments. Elmi said the six might be able to buy their freedom. "The men can appeal and if they ask to pay more instead of (remaining in) prison then we shall see and take our decision," Elmi said.
A tradition that goes back at least to the Crusades. Remember the ransom of Richard the Lionhearted, which led to the Magna Carta?
Posted by:Fred

#6  Had the same thought - didn't pay for the grease or use the local pilots/couriers.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2011-06-20 17:41  

#5  Americans and Europeans should not be paying ransom to jihadi Somali pirates in the first place.

Maybe I didn't read between the lines, or maybe because I read the whole thing, but the "Americans and Europeans" mentioned in the article are pilots. That does not necessarily mean that they are the ones providing the ransom.

And yes, it does sound like there was a failure to pay baksheesh beforehand.
Posted by: Pappy   2011-06-20 16:07  

#4  The charges were illegally bringing money into the country, carrying cash intended to pay ransoms and landing in Mogadishu without the correct papers cash for the judge.

FIFY
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305   2011-06-20 15:34  

#3  We should never pay up. They all want to be pirates out there because it pays 10* better then doing a normal job (and seems to have few if any risks)

new policy: blockade Somali shores.
Posted by: Devilstoenail   2011-06-20 14:41  

#2  Americans and Europeans should not be paying ransom to jihadi Somali pirates in the first place. It inflates the ransom market and increases the odds of Western traders and travellers to be abducted.
Posted by: American Delight   2011-06-20 08:31  

#1  The cash and two aircraft were now the property of Somalia's government

Meet the new pirates, same as the old pirates.
Posted by: PBMcL   2011-06-20 00:41  

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