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BBC: Pirates want $7 million ransom for UK couple

October 30, 2009 By The Associated Press MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN (Associated Press Writer)

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — The BBC said Friday that Somali pirates called the broadcaster to demand $7 million for the release of a British couple whose yacht was hijacked off the coast of Africa.

The British broadcaster cited an unidentified caller as saying the size of the ransom was justified because NATO forces in the area had arrested Somali fishermen and destroyed their equipment.

"If...

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