For the court, all necessary evidence has been collected on the ship. However, the owner must pay a bond and promise to appear at trial. Families and communities are "divided over latest developments," Quilon parish priest says.

Kochi (AsiaNews) - The Enrica Lexie could leave India soon. The Kerala High Court said it would not oppose the release of the Italian oil tanker involved in an incident that claimed the lives of two Indian fishermen on 15 February. However, the ship's owner has to pay a bond and promise to appear at any trial involving the Italian marines held in the case. Kerala fishermen are torn by recent developments, especially the out-of-court settlement reached by the Italian government and victims' families.

"There is no need for holding the ship further. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which probed the shooting case, has already collected required evidence from the vessel for filing the charge sheet against the marines," a senior police official said.

After changing direction, the affair in which Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone are charged for the death of Indian fishermen Jelestein and Ajesh Binki appears to following its new course.

On 25 April, the families' victims withdrew civil charges against the two marines in exchange for 10 million rupees (US$ 190,000) paid by Italy.

"The families are happy of the deal," Quilon parish priest Fr Stephen Kulakkayathil told AsiaNews because the money will allow them to go a long way.

However, "even if the families think that the marines can be released, others in the community are angry," the priest said. "For them, now that the money has been paid, justice will be forgotten."

 

• india
• italy
• fishermen
• marines
• oil
• tanker
• enrica
• lexie