Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-The seven Bangladeshi sailors abducted by Somali pirates on November 26 in 2010 have been released after almost three and a half years of their captivity.
The ill-fated Bangladeshi crew members were kidnapped by the Somali pirates on November 26 in 2010 when they were on board "MV Albedo", a Malaysian flagged-vessel, said a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh.
"The seven Bangladeshis have just been released by their captors and are being flown to Nairobi by a special aircraft of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Kenya," the press statement said.
The UNODC authority and Bangladesh High Commission Nairobi will receive the crew in Nairobi where they will undergo medical checkup at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi.
"However, preliminary report received from our High Commission confirmed that all seven are in good health and would be staying at a local hotel where they will be provided with food, medicine and clothing," the release added.
The Bangladesh High Commission in Nairobi has already been instructed to prepare their travel documents.
“As soon as the required formalities were completed by the UNODC, the Bangladesh High Commission in Nairobi will arrange passage for the seven crew to return to Bangladesh, which will be after almost three and a half years of captivity by the Somali pirates,” the statement added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Dhaka remained pro-actively engaged with all concerned, both at home and abroad, since the unfortunate abduction of these seven Bangladeshi crew, along with crew from India, Sri Lanka, Iran and Pakistan.
Following this unfortunate incident, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed all concerned to do whatever was necessary for their speedy and safe release from captivity.
The MoFA initially confirmed through Maritime Piracy and Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) based in London, quoting sources in the UN Office for Somalia and Nairobi, that the seven Bangladeshi crew were alive.
The authorities concerned of Malaysia were approached since the ship owner is a Malaysian national.
The High Commissioner of Malaysia in Dhaka was also requested by the MoFA to use their good offices in arranging release of the seven Bangladesh crew.
However, following a series of meetings and interactions with the Malaysian authorities, the MoFA was informed that they were unable to use their good offices due to the fact that the Malaysian owner had already abandoned the ship.
Due to lack of usual maintenance, MV Albedo sank on July 7 in 2013 and the abducted crew were shifted by the pirates to another hijacked fishing vessel.
The MoFA closely monitored developments and remained fully engaged in obtaining release of the seven abducted crew.
Since the government, as a matter of principle, was not in a position to even bargain on paying ransom, the ministry continued to keep the MPHRP engaged with the issue and invited the latter to visit the families of the seven crew in Bangladesh.
Thereafter, a team from the MPHRP visited Bangladesh from March 3 to 6 2013 and through a seminar at BIISS, arranged by the MoFA, shared their perspectives on how to have the crew released as also to familiarise with possible strategies to meet such emergencies.
On the ministry's initiative, the MPHRP team members also visited the family members of the abducted crew members in Chittagong.
Further, following request of the MoFA, MPHRP also agreed to pay US$ 200 (US$ Two Hundred) per month to the needy families of the hostages.
The issue was sensitive and having a humanitarian aspect and as a priority, the MoFA was doing everything possible to keep close contacts with all concerned for their safe return to Bangladesh.
All seven abducted crew are expected to return to Bangladesh soon and join their families.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali were always deeply concerned about this humanitarian issue and closely monitored all steps taken by the Ministry to obtain their release.
On behalf of the MoFA, Rear Admiral (retd) Md Khurshed Alam, Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit), handled this issue from day one till their release.
The government of Bangladesh deeply appreciated the assistance of UNODC and MPHRP for their continuous support and assistance in the release of the seven abducted Bangladeshi crew.
BBN/SI/AD-07June14-10:40pm (BST)
