Pirates release Estonian and ship

TALLINN- The Estonian Foreign Minister announced that the Somali pirates released thecrew of the hijacked ship Lehmann Timber.

The crew of the Lehmann Timber, hijacked off the Somaliancoast, was released late July 8. One of the hostages was an Estoniancitizen.

The ship was in international waters and the company was attempting to put thecrew on shore as soon as possible and to give them the necessary assistance.

The Foreign Ministry is ready to give  assistance to bring theEstonian citizen home as soon as possible, the ministry spokeswoman said.

There were 15 people on board the hijacked ship, including four Ukrainiancitizens, three Russians, four Panamanians and one Estonian - Ardo Kalle.

The Foreign Ministry announced the release of the crew just a few hours afterit had refuted a report by the Ukrainian publication Segodnya according towhich the pirates released the crew of the Lehmann Timber after being paid theranson. Sources claim that an unidentified shipping agency helped pay theransom, as the crews health was in danger.

Although the size of the ransom has not officially been mentioned, Segodya reported that the pirates haddemanded 750,000 dollars for the hostages' release.

The pirates seized the Lehmann Timber, sailing under the Gibraltarflag, on May 28. The ship was launched in Chinain April and it was on its maiden voyage to Europe via the Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar.

 The problem of piracy in Somalia is long standing and has grownin number since the beginning of this year, with attacks increasing in the lastfew months. Commonly the ransoms have been paid and the attacks are becomingincreasingly well organized.