(Click on Image to Enlarge)Graphic: Piracy incidents off the Horn of Africa. DER SPIEGEL
Somali Pirates Torturing Hostages -- Washington Post/AP
NAIROBI, Kenya -- Somali pirates are systematically torturing hostages and using them as human shields, the top commander of the European Union Naval Force said Tuesday.
Pirates have recently tied hostages upside down and dragged them in the sea, locked them in freezers, beaten them and used plastic ties around their genitals, Maj. Gen. Buster Howes told The Associated Press.
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Update: Escalation off Somalia - German Shipowners Turn to Mercenaries to Protect against Pirates -- Spiegel Online
My Comment: As more stories of Somali brutality, torture, and murder start to filter out, expect harsher methods by shipowners to protect their ships and crew. As for the international naval fleet in the area .... with the exception of the Koreans .... there is little if any will by the other navies to confront and bring the fight to the Somali pirates.