British Couple Kidnapped by Somali Pirates Pleads for Help
A British couple that was kidnapped by Somalian pirates while on their yacht in the Indian Ocean have sent out a second desperate plea for help. Paul and Rachel Chandler, who are from southern England, were taken on October 23 only days after leaving the Seychelles islands for Tanzania. They were taken ashore and have been held in separate locations in central Somalia ever since. There was a ransom demand for $7 million from their captors, but the British government refused to pay, which is in line with a longstanding policy.
In the video plea, which was filmed last Thursday by French news agency AFP in Somalia, Rachel begged the government to help release them. She said that their captors weren’t treating them well. She is 56 and her husband is 60, she continued, and they need to be together since they don’t have much time left. Paul appeared in the video as well, saying that his condition is poor and pleaded for help. He said that they have no children, have been held for 98 days and don’t have anyone else to turn to.
The video also showed a doctor looking over Paul, who appeared to be doing better than Rachel. Dr. Mohamed Helmi Hangul said that he found her in poor mental health, and she is very sick, anxious and is suffering from insomnia. She’s very confused and completely disorientated, always asking about where her husband is, he continued. Hangul also noted that Paul has a bad cough and some fever.
A UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said that they are watching the situation closely and doing what they can to secure the couple’s release. They are staying in contact with the family and providing support, he continued, and they call for their safe and swift release.
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