New Delhi, March 12/Nationalturk – The diplomatic row has erupted between India and Italy after Italian government refused to send two of its naval guards (marines) to India for facing trial for killing two Indian fishermen in Indian waters. Indian Prime Minister has termed the move as “unacceptable”.
Two Italian naval marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, who were accused of killing two Indian fishermen in Indian waters, were facing trial in India.
The Italian marines were permitted by Indian Supreme Court to go to Italy for four weeks so that they can participate in voting in their country’s election, which was held last month. The marines were scheduled to return to India on March 23 for facing trial.
Sources said Italian government had last evening informed Indian government that the marines Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone will not return to India to face trial.
The Italian foreign ministry accused Indian authorities of violating international rights by detaining the naval guards. “We were open to let an international arbitrator to assess the case,” according to an official statement issued by Italian government.
Justifying the move, the Italian Government said it was refusing to honour an Indian Supreme Court order because India had not responded to requests for a diplomatic solution to the case. Therefore it was now raising a dispute over jurisdiction with India on the interpretation of a clause in the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
Earlier, the marines were also allowed to go home for Christmas holidays after which they returned to India on expiry of their leave.
The Italian government had approached Indian Supreme court with the plea that the Indian courts had no jurisdiction in the case. In its January 18 verdict, Indian Supreme court had turned the request and asked Indian government to try the two marines by constituting a special court to conduct their trial.
Italy says the marines were part of an anti-piracy military security team for a cargo ship and shot the fishermen because they thought they were pirates.
Italy government’s decision unacceptable: Indian Prime Minister
The issue rocked Indian parliament today with opposition members seeking answers from the Prime Minister. They accused the government of a diplomatic failure
The Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh termed Italy government’s decision not to send two marines to country for facing trial as “unacceptable”.
Earlier, Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid told reporters that the government will consult its legal experts to decide on what happens next. “There will be a lawful response,” he said
Sources said Indian Foreign ministry may summon Italian envoy in capital today to lodge protest against Italy government’s decision. “The sanctity of sovereign guarantees has been violated by Italy,” they said.
Meanwhile, Dora Valentine, wife of one of the dead fishermen, said, “This should not happen to any other family, I have not received justice.”
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News
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