Somali Pirates Demand $1 Million Ransom For Captives

Mogadishu, Somalia (AHN) - Somali pirates are demanding at least $1 million for the immediate release of kidnapped German couple, their young son and a French boat captain, a Somali government official privy to the negotiations said Thursday.

Somalia's minister of state for security Jama HIrsi Farah said the gunmen was asking for a $1 million ransom for the release of their hostages.

It was not clear however, the conditions of the captives.

But a clan leader, who is part of the negotiating team, said the boy is suffering from a fever and needs medical attention.