KOLLAM, India (AP) — A court has extended police custody of two Italian marines accused of fatally shooting two Indian fishermen off India’s southwest coast, as India and Italy wrangle over the case.
The marines, part of a cargo ship’s security team, were arrested Sunday, four days after the Feb. 15 incident. India accuses them of mistaking the fishing boat for a pirate ship and killing the two fishermen.
Facing murder charges, they appeared in court Thursday in Kerala state. A judge ordered them to be held for another week.
New Delhi says the men should be tried in India because the killings happened on an Indian boat. Rome says the shootings took place in international waters and the case should be handled in Italy.
Italy’s foreign ministry undersecretary is in India to plead the case.
