Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, accused of shooting dead two fishermen off the Kerala coast, returned here on Friday after celebrating Christmas with their families.
The Kerala High Court had allowed them to go home on the condition that they report to the Kochi Police Commissioner before 3 p.m. on January 10.
The marines arrived at the airport here at 8.15 a.m. by a special chartered flight.
Italian Consul General Giampaolo Cutillo told reporters at the airport that Rome had kept its word and sent the marines back.
He expressed the hope that the gesture would be appreciated by the Indian public.
From the airport, the marines reached the office of Police Commissioner K.G. James a little after 9.30 a.m. After reporting there, they left for Kollam to report and surrender their passports before the court there.
The Commissioner was away as part of the preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit.
Surrender passports
Kollam Staff Reporter adds: The marines reached Kollam and surrendered their passports before District and Sessions Judge P.D. Rajan. The court directed them to appear before it on January 15.
