Two Lithuanians heading home after six-week rescue operation from pirate captivity
The rescue operation of two Lithuanians taken hostage by pirates, since 25 March has successfully completed, reports the Office of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the National Crisis Management Centre. The information has been confirmed by the Danish company Monjasa, the owner of the hijacked Monjasa Reformer. The two Lithuanians, born in 1958 and 1995, who were held hostage by the pirates for 6 weeks, are on their way home.
In line with global practice for such events, no information was provided on the progress of the rescue lest it should prejudice the rescue efforts. This is the tactic followed by all countries around the world when rescuing their citizens from pirate captivity. The principle of silence in such situations will continue to be respected in the future so as to protect human health and life.
On 26 March, the Lithuanian authorities were informed that the attack on the Liberian-flagged tanker Monjasa Reformer, some 140 nautical miles west of Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, took place on 25 March 2023. The pirates seized the vessel and took hostage 16 crew members. Later, when the ship was found, the pirates released 10 of the 16 crew members, but the Lithuanians remained hostages.
On 27 March, a special working group composed of representatives of various Lithuanian institutions convened at the National Crisis Management Centre to coordinate the rescue of Lithuanian citizens. Lithuanian authorities immediately identified the Lithuanians, Lithuanian police officers established contact with their relatives, and they were provided with all necessary assistance and information.
The Lithuanian authorities cooperated with Interpol, other international organisations and foreign partners to ensure that the Lithuanian citizens were freed as soon as possible and brought home safely.
In Lithuania, the National Crisis Management Centre, the Department of State Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and the General Prosecutor's Office have been involved in the release of hostages.