In Kiev have confirmed information on the torture of Ukrainian sailors.

SyuzhetyPiratstvo off Somali29.05.2009Niderlandy assumed the organization of the tribunal on Piracy
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Somali pirates seized Ukrainian sailors are tortured. UNIAN reported on Monday, 1 June.
Head of Press Service of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vasily Kirilich said that after the emergence of mass media information on the use of torture against members of the crew Ariane diplomats received prompt confirmation of the information from the Embassy of Ukraine in Greece, which maintains constant communication with the company-operator of the vessel. According to Kirilicha, pirates tortured seamen "to intensify the negotiating process."
For the release of the ship the pirates demand 10 million dollars.
Bulk Ariana with the Ukrainian crew of 24 people was hijacked by Somali pirates 2 May, 2009. The ship came from Brazil with a cargo of soybeans (35 thousand tons) and was captured in the Indian Ocean near the Seychelles. The owner of the vessel is held by Candela Shipping, registered in Malta, the operator - British Seven Seas Maritime.
5 May, 2009 First Vice Prime Minister Oleksandr Turchynov instructed to establish a Ukrainian special headquarters to rescue the sailors.
May 27, 2009 mother of the second vessel mechanics Larissa Murugova said that the pirates tortured the crew of "Ariana". According to Murugovoy, her son received a telephone call and reported that the pirates beat the Ukrainians with whips, bound and thrown in the hot sun deck.
Citizens of Ukraine is not the first time into captivity to the Somali pirates. In September 2008, pirates seized a Ukrainian vessel "Faina", on board the vessel were 33 T-72 tank, six plants volley of fire and other weapons. In the Hostages were 17 Ukrainians, three citizen of Latvia and Russian. A citizen of Russia, died on board. In February 2009, the "Faina" paid 3.2 million dollars in ransom, after which the vessel was released.