ONLY COURT CAN END IMPASSE IN ITALIAN SAILORS CASE, SAYS INDIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER

NATURAL WITH ENGLISH SPEECH

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SOURCE: ANI

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Only court can end impasse in Italian sailors case, says India's foreign minister

India's foreign minister, Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna says that only the country's judicial system was in capacity to resolve the impasse in killing of two Indian fishermen by Italian sailors.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

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KOCHI, KERALA, INDIA (APRIL 02, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) INDIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER, SOMANAHALLI MALLAIAH KRISHNA, SAYING: "The court will ultimately decide as to how this impasse can be resolved. Let me underscore the point, this does not, in any manner, affect the cordial relationship that we have with Italy."

2. TWO ITALIAN MARINERS ACCUSED OF KILLING INDIAN FISHERMEN EXITING A POLICE VAN

3. THE TWO MARINES BEING ESCORTED BY POLICE OFFICIALS INSIDE THE COURT PREMISES

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) INDIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER, SOMANAHALLI MALLAIAH KRISHNA, SAYING: "Two innocent fishermen fell to death for no fault of theirs and very rightly the state government took those two marines to custody. First they were police custody and now they are in judicial custody."

5. THE MARINES LEAVING BEING ESCORTED BY POLICE OFFICIALS

6. THE TWO MARINES LEAVING THE COURT PREMISES

7. MARINES ENTERING A POLICE VAN

8. AN ITALIAN MARINE SITTING INSIDE THE POLICE VAN

STORY: India's foreign minister, Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna on Monday (April 02) said that only the country's judicial system was in capacity to resolve the impasse in killing of two Indian fishermen by Italian sailors.

A local court on Monday ordered a two-week extension of police custody of the two Italian mariners accused of killing Indian fishermen off the coast of India's southern state of Kerala in February.

After being produced before the chief judicial magistrate, A K Gopakumar, in Kollam city an extension of another two weeks was ordered.

Speaking to mediapersons in Kochi city of Kerala state, Krishna said that the two Italian sailors were being tried under Indian laws and the courts decision-whatever it may be-would not hamper India's relationship with Italy.

"The court will ultimately decide as to how this impasse can be resolved. Let me underscore the point, this does not, in any manner, affect the cordial relationship that we have with Italy," said Krishna.

Complimenting the Kerala state government's vigil in the case, Krishna said that the two Italian marines were rightly arrested.

"Two innocent fishermen fell to death for no fault of theirs and very rightly the state government took those two marines to custody. First they were police custody and now they are in judicial custody," Krishna added.

On March 29, the high court in Kerala ordered to release the detained Italian cargo ship Enrica Lexie, from which two marines were accused of shooting the two Indian fishermen, after its owner furnishes bond of rupees 30 million.

India has held in detention the two seamen, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, trying them under Indian law since February 19.

The Italian mariners opened fire on a boat, which they mistook for pirate vessel, killing two Indian fishermen on February 15 off the coast of Kerala.

Italy's Navy said after the shooting that the fishing boat had approached the Napoli-registered vessel in an aggressive manner.