Special forces arrest pirates after freeing hostages

The force commander for the EU Naval Force said that Russian special forces stormed a disabled oil tanker and arrested the Somali pirates aboard.

Rear Admiral Jan Thornqvist said today’s dawn raid took place against the Liberian-flagged ship Moscow University, which was boarded by pirates early yesterday.

The special forces were aboard a Russian warship that rushed to the scene after the attack.

The special forces boarded a helicopter and were winched down to the Moscow University, which is carrying 86,000 tons of crude oil worth roughly US$50m.

Rear Admiral Thornqvist said shots were fired during the raid but that no one was injured and the crew was safe. The pirates were arrested.