Two Italian marines on trial in India for shooting dead two fishermen returned to the South Asian country on Friday after being allowed home for holidays, dpa reported. Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone arrived at the airport in Kochi in the southern state of Kerala from Rome. The two were given permission by the Kerala High Court to go home to celebrate the holidays with their families, but ordered to returnby January 10 ahead of the next hearing on January 15. "We have kept our word and have full faith in the Indian judicial system," Italy's consular general Giampaolo Cutillo was quoted as saying by the IANS news agency. "I'm sure the people of Kerala and the country will look upon thisas an act that shows the good relations the two countries have," hesaid. The marines were deployed on the Italian oil tanker Enrica Lexieand allegedly shot the Indian fishermen off the coast of Kerala on February 15 after apparently mistaking them for pirates. The Italians are free on bail but have had to remain in the port town of Kochi while the trial proceeds. They could face life sentences if found guilty.
