Italian marine may go home
The lone Italian marine, Salvatore Girone, facing a murder charge in India could return home soon in the wake of a decision of an international tribunal at The Hague.
The verdict is the first big pronouncement of the PCA (Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague), after Italy approached it in June 2015.
Two Italian marines — Massimiliano Latorre and Mr. Girone are facing the charge of murdering two Indian fishermen in 2012 off the Kerala coast. The fishermen were killed when the marines on duty aboard MV Enrica Lexie, an Italian-flagged oil tanker, fired at them.
Mr. Latorre is back in Italy after a stroke in 2014 while Mr. Girone is staying at the Italian embassy here.
However, differences have cropped up between the two countries over the details of the verdict which will govern the marine’s return. While India has claimed that the verdict upholds the Supreme Court’s authority, Italian officials have said it is a vindication of their position that India has no jurisdiction.
“The Tribunal left it to the Supreme Court of India to fix the precise conditions of Sergeant Girone’s bail. This could include him reporting to an authority in Italy designated by our Supreme Court, surrendering his passport to Italian authorities and not leaving Italy without the permission of our Supreme Court. Italy shall apprise our Supreme Court of his situation every three months,” said a statement from Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
‘SC authority upheld’
The statement from the Official Spokesperson also highlighted that India’s arguments in this case have been “recognised”. “The authority of the Supreme Court has been upheld. We remain confident that the issue of jurisdiction will be determined in our favour,” he said.
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