Kerala, Italian marines detention confirmed to March 5
Kochi (AsiaNews) - The Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone will remain in custody until March 5, confirmed a Kollam court judge this afternoon. For now, the Indian soldiers have avoided prison, but they are still the only suspects in the death of two Indian fishermen, on 15 February off the coast of Kerala. Meanwhile, the Italian authorities have appealed for police experts to be allowed conduct ballistic tests on weapons seized aboard the Enrica Lexie. At present, India only allows forensic Italians experts to assist, but not to intervene directly in the tests.
Despite what many think, among the local people the desire for justice not to be confused with the justice at all costs, or with hostility toward the two marines. Fr. Stephen G Kulakkayathil, parish priest of the Diocese of Quilon and former general secretary of the Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council, told AsiaNews: "People do not understand why this anger against the two soldiers. They were not alone on that ship, they were part of a group. They responded to the orders of someone. Why not investigate those who gave them permission to open fire, and then ordered the ship to leave without intervening to help? ".
In recent weeks, an unprecedented number of foreign journalists (mostly Italian) have invaded Kochi, revealing to locals the public opinion in Italy. Close to the families of the victims, Fr. Stephen confides: "My impression is that the Italian media are trying to give a distorted picture of what is really happening. Or maybe they do not know our culture. In fact, I've heard crazy things."
Yesterday morning, an Italian television crew, sent to India, met the priest and the family of Jelestine, one of the killed fishermen. "At a certain point - he says - they asked Dora, the widow, why they had burned her husband's body according to Hindu ritual, if they are Catholic. We looked and we were all amazed. His remains are buried in the churchyard , his funeral was attended by many people, priests, the bishop ... Why say such things without being informed? ".
Meanwhile, Italian and Indian security forces still do not agree on who has jurisdiction over the case. For Fr. Stephen, however, the question is very simple: "The soldiers were under contract, on board a private oil tanker, not conducting a military operation. They had been hired as security guards. So, they can not enjoy military immunity and their trial must be held in an Indian court. "
Regarding the possible presence of another vessel of similar size to the Enrica Lexie (a hypothesis long held by Italy, ed), the Quilon priest says that "it is not true. The ship that raised the alarm has clearly seen the presence of Italian oil tanker, and clearly did not see other boats nearby. And the Indian Coast Guard has determined who was at sea in that area and in that time frame. They did not find anyone else, except Enrica Lexie ".
Confusion and fear continue to prevail among the fishermen. "In the beginning - says Fr. Stephen - everything happened very quickly. Now, it seems to be in limbo. But the authorities, including those in India, do not understand that people are afraid, especially those who live by fishing. The other day I met Freddy [the captain of St. Anthony, the targeted vessel, ed.] He and other survivors are depressed and terrified, they say they will not go to sea. And Freddy does not know how to earn any money, he knows that he can not sell his boat. Who wants to buy a boat in which people have died? It's a real tragedy for all of them. " (GM)
.png)
