Pirates release hostages

Jakarta - Somalian pirates released several Indonesian fishermen who were taken hostage in mid-August, the Indonesian foreign ministry said on Friday.

It was not clear if a ransom had been paid.

The Indonesians were among 48 Asian fishermen seized when pirates stormed three Taiwanese vessels on August 15 near the southern Somali port of Kismayo, said foreign ministry spokesperson Yuri Thamrin.

The gunmen originally demanded $500 000 for each of the boats and their crews, but agreed in September to reduce their demands to $50 000 per boat.

Indonesian media reported the pirates had threatened to kill one hostage each day if their demand was not met.

Thamrin said some of the Asian fisherman were released and were being brought by ship to the Kenyan city of Mombasa - among them some of the 14 Indonesians who had been taken.

He did not provide any figures and said he had no information about the condition of the hostages.

Pirate attacks are common in Somalian waters. Several ships a month are attacked or hijacked, with valuables stolen and crews held for ransom.