Killer Italian ship's departure likely today

Kochi, May 4: The departure of Italian vessel Enrica Lexie, detained off Kerala coast after two Indian fishermen were shot by its marines on Feb 15, is likely to take place on Saturday as the ship's owner failed to complete the necessary formalities. The vessel's owner Pio Shiano, also Managing Director of Dolphin Tankers Ltd, was unable to execute a bond of Rs 3 crore as surety before the Kerala High Court Registrar General as they could not get the certified copy of the May 2 Supreme Court order in this regard.

While allowing the vessel to leave along with its four marines and six crew members, the apex court had directed its owner to execute a surety of Rs 3 crore before the Registrar General. "We have not yet received the certified copy. We are getting it today evening. Once formalities are completed, we will get a clearance tomorrow for the ship to leave. Hopefully, tomorrow it will be completed," Shiano told reporters.

Asked about the loss due to the detention of the vessel since Feb 15, he said, this was not the time to talk of loss as two lives have been lost. "I am very sorry for the family of the fishermen killed. That is all I have to say."

Captain of the vessel Viteli Umberto said, "I have nothing to declare. I cannot talk." Counsel for the vessel's owner, VJ Mathew expressed hope that they would be able to complete the formalities tomorrow. The owner will have to give an undertaking that he would ensure the presence of the six crew on board before any court in India as and when they are summoned.

Two marines Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Girone, who had allegedly shot the fishermen mistaking them to be pirates, have been arrested and charged with murder and are now in judicial remand at Thiruvananthapuram central jail.

PTI