Marines complain of lack of facility in prison

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was an altogether different experience, of course. For Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Girone an Indian prison seemed much more than a jail. The two Italian marines, the accused in the murder of two fishermen in sea, who were brought to Poojappura Central Prison here the other day following an order of the Kollam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, found the new housing in India as a strange place.The marines were provided all facilities as directed by the court. They had chapati and vegetable curry from the prison on Monday night. On Tuesday Pasta, a traditional Italian cuisine, cake and juice were  arranged by the Italian Consulate from a restaurant near Vazhuthacaud.  The marines, who woke up late in the morning, spent time reading books which they brought. They were allowed to meet visitors as directed by the court. However, they were unwilling to enter the cell citing lack of facilities which led to hours-long argument between them and the prison authorities on Monday night. Though a team, including Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Staffan de Mistura and Consul-General Giampalo Cutillo, which arrived in the prison at that time, tried unsuccessfully to relocate them. They cited the court directive to push their case. The court had said in its order that if the Prison ADGP feels the need for a safer custody he can consult the State Government and take a decision.But the ADGP, who brushed aside the demand from the Italian side said that relocation needs notification from the government which was not possible at that time.At last the marines were forced to enter the cell around 2 a.m. “We had to take much effort to convince the marines,” said Central Prison Superintendent B Pradeep. Now there are seven foreigners in the prison including two from Sri Lanka and three from Nepal.