Hijacked U.S. captain released

Source: Xinhua | 04-13-2009 07:52

NAIROBI, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. cargo ship captain taken captive by Somali pirates has been freed without injury after days of ordeal, CNN reported on Sunday night.

In this photo released by the U.S. Navy, Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, shakes hands with Lt. Cmdr. David Fowler, executive officer of USS Bainbridge after being rescued by U.S Naval Forces off the coast of Somalia on Sunday April 12, 2009.(AP Photo/ U.S. Navy)

U.S. soldiers aboard warships launched a raid on the lifeboat in which the four pirates held U.S. cargo ship captain Richard Phillips, killing three hijackers and taking one in custody.

At least three U.S. warships including the destroyer USS Bainbridge were present when the navy operation began.

The captured pirate could face life imprisonment as piracy and hostage-taking carry life sentences under U.S. law..

FBI spokesman John Miller said the situation of the hijacker "in military custody right now becomes more of a criminal issue than a military issue.''

The USS Bainbridge reached the troubled waters on Thursday to begin the five-day high seas standoff with the pirates, who had taken Phillips hostage in a lifeboat the day before.

The pirates on Wednesday briefly took the Danish-owned cargo ship Maersk Alabama with the crew of 21 Americans on board.