MADRID: The Spanish government on Friday authorised private security firms, which protect Spanish trawlers from Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean to use large-calibre weapons.

On-board security “for Spanish vessels in waters outside territorial waters and in particular danger, can be provided by agents from security companies using suitable weapons”, Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said following a cabinet meeting.

She said the exact type of “military weapons” would be determined by the ministries of defence and the interior.

The captors are demanding $4 million ransom as well as the freeing of two suspected pirates being held in Spain.

Spain in April allowed Spanish-flagged vessels to employ private security guards to protect them against pirates off the coast of Somalia, who often use rocket launchers and grenades in their attacks.

Some Spanish trawlers have already employed private security guards but who are equipped with small-calibre weapons.

But the Spanish government has refused requests by trawler owners to allow soldiers to be placed on the vessels, as France does, because Spanish law does not permit the military to be used for protecting private property.

Source: AFP

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