Talks with pirates kidnapped Russian sailors have been started

25.05.2010 Group of negotiators succeeded to get in contact with pirates kidnapped two Russian crewmen of MV North Spirit, reports ITAR TASS referring to Russian Guild of Sailors (RGS).

The information of sailors' whereabouts was proved during the first phase of talks. They are in Nigeria "alive, uninjured, and well", said RGS representative.

Other details of negotiations with the kidnappers held on May 22 are undisclosed. However, it is known that the talks on release conditions of shipmaster Boris Tersintsev, chief engineer Igor Shumik, and Dmitry Bashkirov (Lithuanian shipmaster of MV Argo) will be continued.

Assault upon MV North Spirit belonging to Greek company Balthellas Chartering S.A. and flying the flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines occurred on May 16 off Cameroon. Armed pirates robbed the crew consisting of Russians and Ukrainians; pirates taken away shipmaster Tersintsev and chief engineer Shumik as hostages. Almost at the same time pirates attacked MV Argo and kidnapped the shipmaster Bashkirov.