Its unfortunate and sad that Paul and Rachel Chandler will not be celebrating Christmas this year with their family.
Kidnapped on October 22, 2009 by Somali pirates, the two british sailors are still being held by their captors.
Unconfirmed reports state that Somali’s Radio Gaalkacyo said the couple faced daily threats from the pirates who hijacked their yacht.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it was continuing to monitor the situation “closely”. This comes after several failed attempts to seek the release of the Chandlers.
Paul and Rachel Chandler held captive by Somali Pirates
Radio reports on Wednesday from the coastal town of Xarardheer, also known as Harardheer, said the hostages were facing difficult living conditions while in captivity.
The pirates have previously demanded $7 million in a phone call to the BBC, and said they would shoot Paul and Rachel if it were not paid.
Negotiations have enticed the pirates to accept a much lessor sum of $165,000, however the British government intervened and blocked the transaction.
The FCO has previously expressed sympathy for the victims’ families, but has continued to reiterate its position that it does not “make substantive concessions to hostage takers, including ransoms”.
Their family made another appeal for their release after seeing the footage of them surrounded by gunmen.
Tags: Lynn Rival, Paul and Rachel Chandler, paul chandler, rachel chandler, somali pirates
Suggest you ask Simon Mann for help/advice. I have contact details if you’d like to.
[...] retired British couple Paul and Rachel Chandler, there’s still no hope of release — they and their private sailboat were kidnapped off [...]