Kochi, Dec 16 (ANI): Italian Defence Minister Giampaolo Di Paola arrived here last night to meet the two marines who are facing criminal trial in a Kerala court in connection with the shooting to death of two Indian fishermen off the state's coast in February.
Di Paola, who arrived from Afghanistan, was accompanied by a delegation. He is likely to meet marines Massimiliano Latore and Salvatore Girone.
The sailors, members of a military security team protecting the cargo ship Enrica Lexie from pirate attacks, fired on a fishing boat they mistook for a pirate craft off Kerala's coast in February, killing two.
Earlier, Italy had on Friday expressed "strong disappointment" that India's Supreme Court had delayed a decision on where the two Italian marines would face trial.
Italy had summoned India's ambassador to insist that the Indian Supreme Court issue a decision soon on the marines.
Di Paola during his previous visit to the state had met Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and demanded that the government extend the courtesy and rights due to prisoners of war to the marines. (ANI)
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