Court extends police custody of 2 Italian marines till 5 March

Kollam (Kerala): A magistrate’s court has extended the police custody of the two Italians arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of Indian fishermen till 5 March. [caption id=“attachment_231020” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Italian authorities have said they have initiated criminal proceedings against the 2 marines. PTI”]  [/caption] The two Italian marines, Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Gironi, have been in police custody since February 20. In a bid to get the case quashed against the marines in India,Italian authorities told the Kerala High court that they had initiated criminal proceedings against them. A communication from the Deputy Attorney Dr Eliza Betta Cenicola stating that as per Article 575 of Italian Penal code whoever causes death of a person was punishable with a prison term of not less than 21 years was filed in the High Court by counsel for Italian government and the two marines. However, the court has put off hearing the petition seeking the quashing against the FIR against the two Italian soldiers until tomorrow. India has maintained that since the incident took place within its waters, the marines must face a trial as per Indian law. However, Italy has said that as members of the Navy, the marines are entitled to immunity abroad and should be tried in their home country. with inputs from PTI