In Kerala, the Kollam Sessions Court today rejected the bail plea of two Italian marines facing murder charges. They are accused of killing two Indian fishermen in February last.

The bail was denied citing that the accused might influence the witnesses. The chargesheet against the accused marines was filed in the Kollam court yesterday.

The verdict comes at a time when hectic parleys were on between Staffan de Mistura, Under Secretary in the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry and Thiruvananthapuram Latin Archbishop Soosai Pakiam.