admin
The court barred Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini from leaving India last month because of Rome’s refusal at the time to return the two marines, who had been allowed to go home temporarily to vote in national elections, CNN reported.
Diljeet Titus, a lawyer representing the Italian side, said the Supreme Court had lifted its travel restrictions on Mancini after the two sailors — Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone — subsequently arrived back in India.
Rome’s initial decision not to return the marines angered Indian government officials and Supreme Court justices, who noted that the Italian ambassador had given assurances to the court that they would come back to India after the elections.
The two sides appeared locked in an impasse, with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying Italy’s actions were “not acceptable” and warning of “consequences” for the two countries’ relations.
But Rome backed down, announcing on March 21 that it would send Latorre and Girone back after receiving written assurances from the Indian government that the two men’s “fundamental rights” would be protected. The two sailors agreed to the decision, it said. But the move created some dissent in the ranks of Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti’s government: Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi resigned March 26 over the matter.
Italy has argued that the February 2012 shooting involving its marines happened in international waters and was therefore outside of Indian jurisdiction. Latorre and Girone say they mistook the Indian fishermen for pirates.
Yesterday, the Indian Supreme Court scheduled a hearing for April 16 to seek the Indian government’s response on plans to set up a special court for trying the two Italian men, Titus said. — FNA.
Online Reporter