This was established by the national court in Kollam. Sent to the military prison at Trivandrum (capital of Kerala), where they will receive differential treatment "in accordance with their status". Tomorrow the hearing that will decide the jurisdiction of the case. A peaceful demonstration of 5 thousand fishermen to ask the Indian government for safety at sea.

Kollam (AsiaNews) - The court of Kollam (Kerala) has determined the transfer to Trivandrum prison for two Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone. The ruling will take effect immediately, but the judge has ordered that the soldiers be treated in accordance with their status. Moreover, the police and the prison administration can decide on a different form of lodging, similar to the one they have enjoyed up to now. The marines will remain in prison for the next 14 days. Tomorrow, however, the court must address the question of the jurisdiction of the case. Meanwhile, the results of the ballistics report, drawn up by Indian and Italian experts, is expected. The marines are the only two suspects for the murder of Jelestein and Ajai Binki, two Indian fishermen, on 15 February off the coast of Kerala.

These days a new controversy has increased the confusion surrounding the case. Yesterday the family of Jelestein refused to meet with Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, Staffan de Mistura. The secretary said he was "disappointed", adding that he "understands the feelings of these people" and still "prays for them and for the two victims." According to some Indian newspapers, the local church "influenced" the widow's decision.

Instead, Fr. Stephen Kulakkayathil, pastor and former Secretary General of Quilon in Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council (Klrcc) specifies to AsiaNews: "No personality of the local Church has interfered or is interfering in this issue. De Mistura wanted a strictly private meeting. The victim's family feared that the Italian delegation wanted a compromise outside the court rooms. So, she requested that the meeting happen in front of members of the government and the diocese. This was not possible, and the visit did not happen. "

Meanwhile, the Church is mobilizing to demand the government increased safety at sea, after a fresh incident which has shaken the community of fishermen. On March 1 last year in fact, off the coast of Alappuzha an unidentified cargo ship struck the shipping vessel Don-1, causing the deaths of two men. Of the entire crew, two were injured and three are still missing. This morning, more than 5 thousand fishermen demonstrated in Neendakara in the Diocese of Quilon. Present at the event, the priest says: "These incidents occurred just two weeks apart from each other and they reveal the precarious and insecure conditions in which our fishermen work. Now they are afraid and the government must be strong for its citizens. All we want is security: to go to sea without the risk of dying from causes unrelated to our work. "

Today's protest was the first in a series of peaceful protests that local church and fishermen have planned throughout the month. The next will be held on 12 and 19 March, at the port of Kochi and Trivandrum. (GM)

 

• India
• italy
• marines
• fishermen
• court
• kerala
• ship
• sea