Italian Deputy Defence Minister to meet marines facing trial in India

KOCHI: Italian Deputy Defence Minister Admiral (Retd) Giampaolo Di Paola will arrive here tonight to meet the two Italian marines-- Massimiliano Latore and Salvatore Girone, who are facing trial here in connection with the shooting to death of two Indian fishermen in February this year.

The minister is arriving from Herat, a province in Afghanistan, sources told PTI.

Di Paola was likely to meet the marines either tonight or tomorrow morning, the sources said.

This is the his second visit to Kerala to meet the marines, who were arrested in February and are now on bail.

Di Paolo had visited the marines on March 30 when they were in Thiruvananathapuram central prison.

The two marines have moved a petition in the Kerala High Court here yesterday seeking relaxation of bail conditions to enable them to visit Italy for Christmas.

Italy had this week summoned India's Ambassador to insist that Indian Supreme Court issue a decision soon concerning the two marines.

The marines, who were on board Merchant vessel Enrica Lexie, were arrested on February 20 for shooting to death two Indian fishermen-- Ajesh Binki (25) and Jelastine (45) off Alapuzha coast mistaking them for pirates.