Somali pirates holding a British couple hostage for a year have reiterated they won’t release Paul and Rachel Chandler until ransom is paid, adding they live in the poorest conditions, a pirate spokesperson said Sunday.

The spokesperson, who identified himself only as Qodar, told a local radio station the Chandlers lived in a good condition for the first six months after their capture, but their situation worsened when the British government didn’t heed or meet their demands.

Qodar said they are ready to open negotiations with anyone to free them, insisting ransom payments are inevitable.

He described as "hindrances" Somali refugees living in England, saying they "reached [out to] us for several times requesting to free British couple without ransom.” Qodar said the refugees should not interfere.
He said a lot of time, money and efforts had been spent on maintaining the hostages during their captivity.
The Chandlers were kidnapped by Somali pirates Oct. 23, 2009, as their yacht was heading to Tanzania from the Seychelles.

The pirate's statement comes as the transitional federal government proclaimed it will help gain the British couple’s release.

Rohosafi, English News Staff
Email: englishnews@live.com