Atuna News Article

British Ex-Spy Plays Part In Spanish Tuna Vessel Rescue

Spain, March 9, 10

Source: The Leader

A former British spy was the man given the job of handing over the ransom which brought the hijacked Spanish tuna-fishing boat Alakrana its freedom after 47 days in captivity at the hands of Somali pirates.

The company set up in West Africa by the former British agent to specialize in kidnap operations, supplied the small plane from which the bundle containing the ransom of 2.7 million euros was thrown onto the deck of the Alakarana to secure the release of its 36 crew members, 16 of whom were Spanish.

This was a different modus operandi from that of the release of the Playa de Bakio in April 2008, which was also seized by Somali pirates. In that case the Spanish National Intelligence Center (CNI) advanced and handed over the ransom, which was paid back over time by the ship owner.

In the case of the Alakrana, it appears the money was also fronted by the Spanish secret service, as the police found no indication of the ship owner having drawn funds from his company for the ransom. It is also believed the CNI hired the services of the former British spy.

Then head of the CNI, Féliz Sanz, will have the chance to reveal all when he appears before a congressional committee. Sanz will be giving testimony at a testing moment for the CNI, which is also embroiled in attempts to secure the release of three Catalan NGO volunteers captured by an Al Qaeda offshoot in Mauritania on November 29th of last year.

The High Court judge handling the Alakrana case, Santiago Pedraz, asked the head of the CNI for the same information he supplied to Congress’ official secrets committee, but Sanz said he could not provide it because it is classified.

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