Italy initiates steps to court martial marine

Feb 22, 2012 |

DC with agency inputs

Kochi

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The Italian Navy, Marina Militare, according to Italian diplomats has initiated steps to court martial Latorre Massimiliano and Salvatore Girone, the marines held in connection with the firing deaths of two Indian fishermen off Kollam, Kerala on February 15.

Italian envoys conveyed the information about the court martial to Kerala police when it sought to examine weapons used to fire at the fishermen from on board Enrica Lexie.

The diplomats took the position that they could not hand over the weapons to Kerala police as they were required to be taken to Italy in connection with the court-martial.

"They are stiff on the stand that the weapons are Italian navy’s property and need not be handed over to police here," said a top police officer.

However, Kerala police are doubting the court martial report and frowning at the argument regarding weapons, because they could be alibis to deny the request for accessibility to weapons.

Compensation of Rs 1 crore

Two fishermen, Ajesh Binki, 25, and Gelastine, 45, were allegedly mistaken as pirates and shot dead by the crew of the Enrica Lexie on February 15.

One of the pleas by a victim's kin seeks Rs.1 crore compensation.

Marines Latorre Massimillano and Salvatore Girone were picked up from the vessel on Sunday and arrested. A court near Kollam on Monday sent them to 14 days in custody, with the police given the first three days to interrogate them.

Father Rajesh Martin, local priest and a relative of Gelastine, said they decided to go ahead with the petition on the legal advice that it would make the case strong.

"We have claimed a compensation of Rs.1 crore because we feel that this would be the amount required for his children's education and for future requirements," Martin told reporters.

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