By: Angela Wendler
A British woman was kidnapped from an exclusive resort in Kenya by a gang of Somali pirates.
Judith Tebbutt, 56, was removed forcibly from her luxury beach hut in Kiwayu Safari Village by six gunmen early in the morning on Sept. 11.
Tebbutt's husband was killed by a single gunshot wound to the head while allegedly trying to protect his wife.
The New York Times reported that Tebbutt was taken from the resort in a speedboat and is now likely being held in an undisclosed town in Somalia.
Tebbutt is severely hearing impaired. Her friends and family are concerned that she will not be able to communicate with her kidnappers reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
This attack was highly unusual, because it occurred in Kenya and on land. These circumstances imply that there was a degree of cooperation between the pirate kidnappers and Shabab, who control the Somali coast along which the pirates would have needed to refuel.
In recent months the Shabab have taken over several pirate dens in Somalia. The pirates are reportedly sharing a portion of the ransom profits with the Shabab.
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