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Pirates Want $2M Ransom, Threaten to Kill Captain

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 10, 2009 1:39 PM CDT

(Newser) – Somali pirates holding an American ship captain hostage say they want a $2 million ransom and have threatened to kill him, Reuters and the AP report. The ransom demand followed an escape attempt by Richard Phillips, who attempted to swim for safety early this morning. Reports conflict on what happened next—either a pirate jumped in after him and hauled him back, or Phillips returned after one of the captors fired an automatic weapon.

After the escape attempt, the pirates dumped a two-way radio and a satellite phone Phillips was using to communicate with the Navy into the ocean. The standoff appears likely to continue. Fellow pirates are sailing other seized ships toward the lifeboat, hoping to somehow help the bandits get to land to improve their odds of escape. The US, meanwhile, is beefing up its arsenal as well.

Capt. Richard Phillips, in a file photo.
Capt. Richard Phillips, in a file photo.   (AP Photo)
Unidentified neighbors of Capt. Richard Philips tie a yellow ribbon on the fence in front of Philips' home.
Unidentified neighbors of Capt. Richard Philips tie a yellow ribbon on the fence in front of Philips' home.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
Andrea Phillips speaks with reporters while watching television reports about her husband, Capt. Richard Phillips.
Andrea Phillips speaks with reporters while watching television reports about her husband, Capt. Richard Phillips.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
Yellow ribbons line the fence in front of the home of Capt. Richard Phillips in Underhill, Vt.
Yellow ribbons line the fence in front of the home of Capt. Richard Phillips in Underhill, Vt.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
OWLWOMANXXXX
Apr 11, 2009 12:54 PM CDT
since we have the fire power there....we should use it.....no negotiations
nick
Apr 11, 2009 12:43 PM CDT
Great thought ... but they'll want the money first, then safe passage, and finally, they'll release the Captain. Sure they will. Just like, a few days ago, the pirates released the Captain after we released the pirate we held. Oh, wait, they broke their promise.
riffran
Apr 11, 2009 1:35 AM CDT
and as for the other pirates coming to help......lets see we have torpedos, CIWS, ASROCK, HARPOONs......4inch 50's....50cals...TALONs...

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