Kochi, May 4 (IANS) Italian ship M.V. Enrica Lexie, anchored in the sea since two Marines on it shot dead two Indian fishermen Feb 15, is expected to set sail Saturday.
The owner and his counsel V.J. Mathe announced this at a press conference here.
The ship will leave minus the two Marines — Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone — who have been in judicial custody since Feb 20.
The development following a Supreme Court order Wednesday allowing the release of the vessel.
The court accepted the Italian government’s assurance that it would ensure the presence of the four other Marines who were on board the ship at the time of the incident if they are summoned by an Indian court.
Indian fishermen Ajesh Binki, 25, and Gelastine, 45, were allegedly mistaken as pirates and shot dead by the two now arrested security crew of Enrica lexie off Alappuzha in Kerala.
Last week, Italian authorities reached an out of court settlement by paying Rs.10 million each to the families of the killed fishermen and Rs.1.7 million to the boat owner J. Freddy for damaging his vessel.
