The captain of the Italian ship is awaiting a clear directive from the Italian government as regards the police demand to question the crew over Wednesday's firing on a fishing boat that killed two Indian fishermen in the Arabian Sea, sources said Friday.
A team of representatives of the Italian ministries of justice, defence and foreign affairs are expected to hold talks with the central government in relation to the incident, after a meeting with the ship crew.
The vessel and the captain are awaiting the arrival of the Italian team here, before they respond to the questioning demand.
The Neendakara circle inspector had sought retention of six marine officials and the captain on board the Italian vessel Enrica Lexie for questioning.
The police request had been submitted to the consulate general of Italy in Mumbai, Giampaolo Cutillio, who had been holding talks with the Kochi city police commissioner M.R. Ajithkumar, the marine enforcement team, and the officials of customs and navy.
According to the sources, Cutillio forwarded the request to the Italian embassy, from where it was forwarded to the external affairs ministry of the Italian government.
Adv. VJ Mathew, who will appear for the owners of the vessel, told Deccan Chronicle that those in the ship would take a decision only after a clear directive came from the Italian government.