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Marines case: Italy recalls Ambassador
Rome summons Indian envoy, questions judicial system as SC defers hearing
Tribune News Service & PTI

Tough posturing Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone are charged with killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast in 2012 Italy claims the fishermen were killed in international waters when they were mistaken for pirates and the duo should be tried under international laws India asserts they were involved in the killing

New Delhi/Rome, February 18
Italy on Tuesday “recalled” its envoy Daniele Mancini for consultations and summoned Indian Ambassador Basant Kumar Gupta following “unacceptable” delay in trying two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012.

“The Italian Government has ordered the immediate recall to Rome of its Ambassador to India for consultations,” Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino announced hours after the Supreme Court postponed the hearing involving marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, facing murder charges.

The court asked the Centre to make its stand clear on invoking the anti-piracy law against the marines. The Centre has been told to respond by February 24.

The Italian minister said postponement of the case reflected the “inability of the Indian judicial authorities to handle the case”.

Rome would intensify its commitment aimed at obtaining recognition to try the marines under international laws and bring them back home as soon as possible.

The tough posturing by Rome came a day after Mateo Renzi assumed office as Prime Minister. It is understood that he wanted to be briefed about the case by the Italian envoy.

In Rome, Indian Ambassador Basant Kumar Gupta was summoned by Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Michele Valensise. He was told the case “shows an Indian desire to draw out the affair beyond all limits”, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Ever since the incident two years ago, the nations have been engaged in bitter exchanges over the trial of the marines. Italy claims the fishermen were killed in international waters when they were mistaken for pirates and, therefore, its marines should be tried under international laws. India maintains they were arrested for killing two Indians.