Two Italian marines held for Indian fishermen’s killing

Sunday, February 19, 2012: The Kochi police have on Sunday evening arrested two Italian marines in connection with the killing of two Indian fishermen off Kollam coast on February 15. The police also interrogated the captain and the crew of the oiltanker “Enrica Lexie”.
The authorities of the Italian oil tanker had earlier agreed to hand over the two of the marines onboard the vessel, who allegedly shot dead two Indian fishermen.
Commissioner Ajith Kumar visited the ship and spoke to the Captain and crew of the ship for half an hour. He told reporters on his return here that the vessel authorities have agreed to turn over two of its marines to the police.
A case of murder was registered by Kollam police two days ago in connection with the incident and the two marines, on their surrender, would be questioned first before further action is taken, police sources said.
The ship authorities agreed to hand over the marine duo after a team of Kerala police led by Ajith Kumar turned on the heat on the vessel’s Captain and the crew by asking them to hand over the duo or face police action.
Ajith Kumar had earlier in the day gone to the ship to seek the cooperation of the crew and had held discussions with the Italian Consul General and the Captain.
The two fishermen — Ajesh Binki (25) and Jalastein (45) — were killed on February 15 off Kollam coast near Kerala when armed guards of the ship fired at their boat, suspecting it to be a vessel belonging to pirates.