Pirates make $7m ransom demand
Paul and Rachel Chandler were sailing in the Indian Ocean when their yacht was boarded
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Saturday, 31, Oct 2009 09:27
A $7 million (£4.3 million) ransom demand has been made for the couple kidnapped by Somali pirates in a call to the BBC.
Paul and Rachel Chandler, aged 58 and 55, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, were taken hostage from their yacht the Lynn Rival in the Indian Ocean early on October 23rd.
According to the BBC, the caller said "If they do not harm us, we will not harm them.
"We only need a little amount of $7 million."
The caller told the BBC the amount is "not that big" compared to the damage Nato operations has had in the area.
"Nato operations had a lot of negative impact here. They have destroyed a lot of equipment belonging to the poor local fishermen.
"They arrest fishermen and destroy their equipment."
The Foreign Office said it was aware of the demand but will not pay ransoms.
The couple spoke to ITV by phone on Thursday and said they were safe and healthy. Their family has insisted the couple is not rich and most of their money is tied up in the yacht, which was found floating empty by Britain's Royal Navy.