A retired British couple kidnapped off Somalia last month have been moved nearer to the coastal town of Haradheere amid fears among their captors that Islamist militants are planning to seize the hostages. Pirates are demanding $7 million (£4 million) for the release of Paul and Rachel Chandler, of Kent.

Haradheere, about 35 miles inland from the coast, is a notorious pirate haven and stronghold where the gang will be better protected than in the interior.

With the immediate threat of an attack by hardline Islamist militants subsiding a pirate commander yesterday reiterated the demand for a ransom for the couple.

“We are telling the families to respect our words, we will never harm these people but we want ransom,” said Mohamed Shakir.

The couple who were seized on October 23 en route from the Seychelles to Tanzania. The British government has said it will not pay any ransom.

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