The Playa de Bakio was released Saturday following payment of a ransom of US$1.2 million (768,000 euros), said Andrew Mwangura of the Kenya chapter of the Seafarers Assistance Program in a statement in Nairobi.

But in Madrid, a Spanish government spokesman told AFP “the government paid no ransom.” He added that he did not know if the owners of the fishing boat — who are from the northern Basque region of Spain — handed over money.

“The owner had contacts with lawyers in London, but we don’t know if he paid or not,” the spokesman said.

The Playa de Bakio — with a crew of 13 Spaniards and 13 others of various African nationalities — was Sunday understood to be en route to the Seychelles, escorted by a Spanish naval frigate.

It was expected to reach Port Victoria on Tuesday.

In his statement, Mwangura said the trawler — which was captured on April 20 “— suffered heavy damage caused by gun fire and looting during the piracy attack.”

On Saturday, Spanish news media said that a ransom of one million euros (US$1.55 million) had been demanded, and that negotiations took place at a London hotel.

But the Spanish government said there was “no official contact” with the kidnappers, although it did not rule out the possibility of direct contact between the pirates and the owners of the 76-meter (250-foot) trawler.

The vessel had been fishing for tuna off Somalia when it was captured.

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