Kochi (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Italian Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone will be transferred soon (maybe tomorrow) from prison to a former reform institution, the Borstal School, Trivandrum, Kochi. Indian broadcaster NDTV reports that the Kerala Government made the decision in line with the suggestion from the Supreme Court on May 9 last. The highest Indian court had ordered the transfer of the military to an alternative to prison, according to their status. The site selected by Kerala has been approved by the Italian defence ministry.
Today, the Marines are due to appear again before the court in Kollam, to submit an application for bail, which was rejected in the past days.
The marines are the only suspects in the death of two Indian fishermen, on 15 February off the coast of Kerala. Detained in a guest house on from February 19, on 5 March they were placed under judicial custody in Poojappura prison (Trivandrum). At the time of the accident, the Marines were on board the Italian tanker Enrica Lexie as security guards, and mistook the Indian vessel for pirates.