Kerala, Christian lawyer: Let justice take its course in marines' case. We are a democratic country
Kochi (AsiaNews) -
"There is no legal impasse. What is happening is part of the usual
procedures of the Indian Penal Code. India is a democratic country with
a good judicial system" says Vincent Panikulangara AsiaNews, Christian lawyer
at the High Court of Kerala, commenting on the latest referral in the case of
the Italian Marines, who were accused of the killing of two Indian fishermen on
February 15 last. This
morning, the High Court of Kerala extended judicial custody for Salvatore Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone for an additional 14
days. Also
today, the court in Kochi
postponed the hearing to establish the jurisdiction of the case to a date to be
established. No
news instead of the results of the ballistics expert, conducted by Indian and
Italian experts now more than a month ago.
According
to SM Krishna, Minister of Indian Affairs, the extension of police custody is
"the right decision. The arrest of two marines will not affect diplomatic
relations with Italy."
Today,
Krishna was in talks with the chief minister of Kerala Oomen Chandy, who yesterday issued some statements
deemed "worrying" by the Italian authorities. The
head of government has in fact reiterated that "the crime occurred in
territorial waters, and so the Italian soldiers must be judged according to Indian
law."
Panikulangara
is a lawyer of the Supreme Court of India and does not address the case of two
Indian fishermen. In 1973 he lived in Italy for some
time. Regarding
the continual postponements he adds: "The criminal proceedings brought by
the State of Kerala
is being carried out by the courts in charge. The referrals are determined by a
single court, they are not connected with each other. It is natural that we
want the time: the question of jurisdiction,
such as the release of the tanker, were presented to the High Court at the
request of the closest relatives of the victims and the owner of the vessel.
"
According
to the lawyer, the Italian authorities' requests are incomprehensible, such as
the request for better accommodation. "The
two soldiers - he stresses - are accused of murder, are from a different
country: how could they be released on bail? Is there any place on Earth where
the accused in a murder may enjoy certain privileges? We love the people Italian.
But the feeling that you have here is that the Italian authorities are paying
close attention to this case for political reasons, rather than to defend the
legal rights of the two accused. " (GM)
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