Kollam court rejects bail application of Italian marines
19 May 2012
A court in Kollam, Kerala today rejected the bail application of two Italian marines accused in the fishermen killing case, on grounds that it might affect progress in the case.
The sailors, who have been held in the southern Indian state of Kerala, appeared in court on Saturday for a bail hearing.
Turning down the plea of Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Girone, in custody for the last three months, District and Sessions judge P D Rajan said their release on bail at this juncture might affect the conduct of the case.
The two marines on board the Italian ship 'Enrica Lexie' had allegedly shot dead two Indian fishermen--Valentine Jalastine and Ajesh Bi --on 15 February, whom they mistook for pirates, they claim
The marines, were arrested on 19 February and have been lodged in the Central Prison at Thiruvanathapuram under judicial remand. Police had yesterday filed the charge sheet in a court in Kollam charging them with murder under the Indian Penal Code.
The police have also invoked the International Maritime Law in the incident which had led to a diplomatic row between India and Italy. Within hours of filing of the chargesheet, Italy called back its ambassador to India for "consultations".
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