Italian suspects to be handed over to police

Kochi city Police Commissioner M R Ajithkumar said the Italian authorities have agreed to hand over the two suspects to the police for interrogation

Ending the deadlock over the probe into the death of two fishermen in unprovoked firing from Italian ship Ernica Lexi,Kerala police on Saturday night got an assurance from the ship and the Italian Consulate that two Italian navy marines,suspected to be involved in the firing,would be produced before the police on Sunday morning.

Kochi city Police Commissioner M R Ajithkumar said the Italian authorities have agreed to hand over the two suspects to the police for interrogation. They would be produced before the police by 8 am. We have asked them to face action as per the Indian law. The ship would be released only after completing necessary formalities with the probe, he said.

This came hours after External Affairs Minister S M Krishna called up his Italian counterpart Giulio Terzi di SantAgata in connection with the killing. With the ship captain refusing to hand over the suspects,Krishna conveyed that the ship crew should fully cooperate with the Indian investigating authorities.

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He said the loss of innocent lives could have been avoided had the naval personnel on board Enrica Lexi been careful and exercised restraint.

Earlier,Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy,after visiting the victims families in Kollam,said the government would bring the culprits before the law. What had happened in the sea was nothing but cold-blooded murder. The police are collecting evidence to build up a fool-proof case. There would not be any delay in arresting the accused.

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