4 Italian marines refuse to heed NIA summons
Four Italian marines, who were witness to the killing of fishermen off Kerala coast allegedly by two of their colleagues, have refused to come to India for deposing as witness, which will further delay the case. The four marines, who were summoned by the National Investigation Agency, were onboard Italian vessel ‘Enrica Lexie’ and were present at the spot when their colleagues Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone allegedly shot dead two fishermen on February 15, 2012. The four witnesses conveyed that they were not ready to come to India for deposition as witness following summons from the NIA, which is probing the case, official sources said. The witnesses said that they were ready for appearance either through video conferencing, or a team of NIA should visit Italy for questioning them or the investigators can send them written questions which they would reply.