Judicial custody for Italian marine accused

Two Italian marines accused of firing at an Indian fishing boat off Kerala coast recently killing two fishermen, have been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by a Kerala magistrate court  on Monday.

The accused Latorre Massimiliano and Salvatore Girone were arrested by Kerala police on Sunday after their ship Enrica Lexie was intercepted by Indian security agencies on February 15, and brought to Kochi port. On Monday, they were brought from Kochi to Kollam, where police have registered a case against them for murder. The ill-fated Indian fishing boat went to the sea from Kollam.

The Karunagappally judicial first class magistrate K P Joy who remanded both accused also granted a request of Kerala police to keep them in custody till February 23 for completing the investigation. They are likely to be transferred to Poojapura Central Jail in Thiruvananthapuram later.

Kollam city police commissioner Sam Christie Daniel submitted warrant and remand reports to the magistrate. The accused were accompanied by the captain of the ship, Italian consul general and senior Italian officials.

A large number of protestors including members of Youth Congress, Yuva Morcha and AIYF had assembled at Karunagappally when the accused where brought. The protesters have demanded for severe punishment to the accused.

Meanwhile, Italian ship Enrica Lexie on Monday left Kochi port and berthed at the outer sea. However, Kochi port authorities have asked for removing the ship following financial loss to the port.