Captured Spanish fisherman believes freedom nearer
* Somali pirates expect Spain to free imprisoned colleagues
* Govt says considering all options
* Judge Garzon says legal solution possible
MADRID, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Spanish fishermen being held captive by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean believe a deal has been struck to secure their freedom.
Ricardo Blach, first mate of the Basque tuna boat Alakrana, said he understood the Spanish government had agreed to send two suspected Somali pirates back to their own country in exchange for the crew's release.
The Spanish navy captured the two Somalis soon after pirates overran the Alakrana on Oct. 2 and took its 36 crew hostage. They are set to face trial in Spain for kidnapping.
"It seems almost certain that they are going to send the (captured) pirates here," Ricardo Blach, said in comments on Spanish state radio on Monday. "We don't know when, whether tomorrow or in a week but it seems that they are going to send them back."
"We want to believe it, good news, even if it's clutching at straws, because of the tension we have here."
The pirates holding the crew have said they would not negotiate a ransom for their release until Spanish authorities freed their two colleagues.
"In the morning (on Sunday), they were telling us in signs that they were going to cut our throats. Now the head of the pirates is smiling," Blach said in separate comments to the Spanish daily El Mundo.
No one was immediately available at Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's office to comment on the reports.
But Environment Minister Elena Espinosa told state television the government was exploring various options.
Judge Baltasar Garzon, who ordered the two suspects to be brought to Spain, said Spain should not give into pressure.
However, he told Europa Press agency: "I believe there are legal ways to find a solution to this conflict and without a doubt that is going to happen."
The pirates said on Thursday they had taken three male hostages from the Alakrana ashore and might hand them to the families of the two suspected pirates being held by Spain.
However, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said he believed the entire crew was still on board the Alakrana.
Pirates have been plundering the busy shipping lanes off the coast of Somalia for years. Warships from 16 nations are patrolling the area to try and prevent hijacks, but the sea gangs have extended their reach far into the Indian Ocean.
While there was a lull in hijackings during this season's monsoon rains, pirates have stepped up attacks in the past few weeks and are now holding 10 vessels and at least 187 hostages. (Reporting by Sarah Morris; Editing by Angus MacSwan:)
* Govt says considering all options
* Judge Garzon says legal solution possible
MADRID, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Spanish fishermen being held captive by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean believe a deal has been struck to secure their freedom.
Ricardo Blach, first mate of the Basque tuna boat Alakrana, said he understood the Spanish government had agreed to send two suspected Somali pirates back to their own country in exchange for the crew's release.
The Spanish navy captured the two Somalis soon after pirates overran the Alakrana on Oct. 2 and took its 36 crew hostage. They are set to face trial in Spain for kidnapping.
"It seems almost certain that they are going to send the (captured) pirates here," Ricardo Blach, said in comments on Spanish state radio on Monday. "We don't know when, whether tomorrow or in a week but it seems that they are going to send them back."
"We want to believe it, good news, even if it's clutching at straws, because of the tension we have here."
The pirates holding the crew have said they would not negotiate a ransom for their release until Spanish authorities freed their two colleagues.
"In the morning (on Sunday), they were telling us in signs that they were going to cut our throats. Now the head of the pirates is smiling," Blach said in separate comments to the Spanish daily El Mundo.
No one was immediately available at Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's office to comment on the reports.
But Environment Minister Elena Espinosa told state television the government was exploring various options.
Judge Baltasar Garzon, who ordered the two suspects to be brought to Spain, said Spain should not give into pressure.
However, he told Europa Press agency: "I believe there are legal ways to find a solution to this conflict and without a doubt that is going to happen."
The pirates said on Thursday they had taken three male hostages from the Alakrana ashore and might hand them to the families of the two suspected pirates being held by Spain.
However, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said he believed the entire crew was still on board the Alakrana.
Pirates have been plundering the busy shipping lanes off the coast of Somalia for years. Warships from 16 nations are patrolling the area to try and prevent hijacks, but the sea gangs have extended their reach far into the Indian Ocean.
While there was a lull in hijackings during this season's monsoon rains, pirates have stepped up attacks in the past few weeks and are now holding 10 vessels and at least 187 hostages. (Reporting by Sarah Morris; Editing by Angus MacSwan:)
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