Georgia, Tbilisi, Jan. 10 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
Georgian sailors kept in captive by Somali pirates threaten to drown in the sea if they are not assisted in release, according to the sailors' relatives, who held a rally in Batumi today.
"Our main goal is to release 15 sailors from captivity. We call on the government of Adjara and the Georgian government, as well as demand a meeting with the president. We know that the sailors are kept in intolerable conditions. They are treated like slaves. Sailors say that one day they will join the pirates in the melee and it all ends or they drown in the sea," father of one of the sailors Sergo Devadze said.
According to him, the rally will last as long as the owner or the Georgian Foreign Ministry takes action against the pirates and joins in the process of freeing the hostages.
Georgian sailors were captured by Somali pirates last August, demanding $1 million for the sailors' release.