In Kerala, legal formalities for the release of the Italian vessel Enrica Lexie, as directed by the Supreme Court were not completed today. The counsel for the Italian shipping company told media persons in Kochi that the certified copy of the Supreme Court order is expected this evening and the formalities will be completed tomorrow, after which ship will be able to sail.

Enrica Lexie has been detained off Kochi after two fishermen were shot dead by Italian marines on board the vessel in February. It may be recalled that the Supreme Court had directed the owner of the vessel to furnish a bond for three crore rupees before the Registrar General of the Kerala High Court. It also ordered the owner of the vessel to give an undertaking that four crew members including its captain will be produced when summoned by any court in the country.

The Managing Director of Dolphin Tankers, Pio Shiano, the company which owns the vessel, expressed sorrow for the family of the two fishermen who were shot dead by the Italian marines.