MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A Somali police officer says three people have been killed as pirates clash in a central Somali town over a ransom paid for the freedom of a German-American journalist who was released this week after two years and eight months of captivity.

Mohamed Hassan said Friday that gunfire broke out in Galkayo late Thursday as some of the pirates who held Michael Scott Moore attacked their comrades, accusing them of conducting a secret deal with negotiators.

Hassan said a top pirate commander was among three people killed after Moore was freed on Tuesday.

Bile Hussein, a pirate commander in the coastal town of Hobyo, said earlier that a ransom of $1.6 million was paid by Somali intermediaries acting on behalf of Germany.

Germany's Foreign Ministry hasn't confirmed money was paid.