Kerala: as trial approaches, Italian marines leave prison
Kochi (AsiaNews/Agencies) - As announced in the Indian press, the two Italian marines held in the Central Prison in Thiruvananthapuram for the past three months have been moved to the Borstal School in Kochi this afternoon (local time). Their trial in the death of Indian fishermen is expected to start soon.
Chief Judicial Magistrate A K Gopakuar issued the Committal Warrant for moving the case to the Sessions Court since their judicial remand has expired.
The Borstal School is an ex reformatory run by Thiruvananthapuram Prison. Both parties agreed to the move after it was retrofitted for the marines.
The decision comes in response to a Supreme Court ruling on 9 May, which ordered the transfer of the two Italian soldiers to a place that was not a prison.
Meanwhile, the hearing set for today before the Kochi High Court on Italy's application for bail was postponed until next Monday.