Italian ship's security officers in custody for interrogation

Two Italian naval officers suspected to be involved in the killing of the fishermen off Kollam coast have been taken into custody by the Kerala police from the oil carrier Enrica Lexie.

The two naval officers have been shifted to the CISF Guest House in Kochi for further questioning. The Kochi police officials said that the investigation and further questioning of the two Italian naval officers would be done by the Kollam police as the case has been registered at the Neendakara police station in Kollam district.

The Kochi police officials led by M R Ajithkumar reached the ship on Sunday morning and questioned the crew members, including the captain of the ship.

The two naval officers were brought to the shore by evening in a special boat.

Kochi range IG Padmakumar said that the two Italian naval officers will face charges of murder of the fishermen, Gelestin and Pinku. The naval officers on board the Italian vessel mistook the fishing boat as a Somalian pirate boat and opened fire on them killing the two fishermen.

The Indian Coast Guard directed the Italian vessel to the Kochi port.

Though the Italian side stuck to their stand that the incident happened outside the Indian exclusive economic zone, the Kerala police requested them to cooperate with the Indian law.

Kochi Range I G Padmakumar said that the Italian ship would be allowed to leave only after completing all formalities. He said Kochi police is only assisting the Kollam police in the case. The SP of Kollam Sam Christy Daniel is in charge of the investigation.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had on Saturday said that those responsible for the killing will be taken into custody soon. Law will take its own course and those responsible for the murder will be arrested, he said.