Italian marines released on bail

After 105 days in custody, the two Italian marines, arrested for allegedly gunning down two Indian fishermen off Kerala, were released on bail on Saturday as a court in Kollam posted their trial to June 18.

Massimilliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone walked out of the Borstal prison here around 9.30 p.m. after they fulfilled the stringent bail conditions of the Kerala High Court, prison authorities said. Though the jail authorities received a fax copy of the Kollam magistrate order, the two were released only after the formal release order was furnished.

Italian Consul General in Mumbai Giampalo Cuttillo and other officials were present as the marines were driven off to a hotel at the nearby Wellington Island.

The High Court granted them bail on May 30 on various conditions, including a bond of Rs. 1 crore each with two Indian solvent sureties for a like amount. It also ordered they stay within a 10 km radius of the Kochi Police Commissioner’s office and appear before the Commissioner on all days between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and as and when required.

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