Pirates release Greek crew

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Greek officials say Somali pirates have freed a Greek-owned cargo ship and its 22-member crew, held since November, after receiving a ransom payment.

A coast guard statement says the Filitsa was freed on Monday along with its crew: three Greeks, 18 Filipinos and a Romanian. Officials say the crew members are in good health.

The ship's owner, Order Shipping, confirmed that a ransom had been paid, but refused to declare the sum.

The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was seized on November 11 in the Gulf of Aden.

Pirates can often command multimillion dollar ransoms for the release of the vessels they capture, a fortune in impoverished Somalia. The failed state has not had a functioning government for a generation.

Somali pirates seized 47 vessels last year. They are holding about 200 crew members hostage.

- AP