Italy says closing of marines case in India outcome of a big diplomatic effort

Italy said that the closing of the marines case in India is the outcome of a big diplomatic effort. India's Supreme Court on Tuesday brought the curtain down on 9-year old criminal proceedings against two Italian marines accused of killing of two fishermen in February 2012.

London: Italy on Tuesday said the end of the judicial proceedings in India against two Italian marines accused of killing of two fishermen off the Kerala coast in 2012 was the result of a big diplomatic effort. India's Supreme Court on Tuesday brought the curtain down on 9-year old criminal proceedings against two Italian marines -- Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone -- accused of killing of two fishermen in February 2012, after Rs 10 core in compensation was paid by Italy to the heirs of the deceased and the boat owner.

The apex court also said that as per the international arbitral award accepted by India, Italy shall resume further investigation in the case against the two marines who opened fire on the Indian fishermen allegedly under the misconception that they were pirates. Reacting to the decision of India's Supreme Court, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said the outcome was the result of a big diplomatic effort.

"All judicial proceedings in India against our marines, Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre, have been closed," Di Maio tweeted.

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"Thanks to those who worked with perseverance on the case, thanks to our tireless diplomatic corps, the final word has been said on this long affair," Italian news agency ANSA quoted the minister as saying.

In February 2012, India had accused the two marines on board the MV Enrica Lexie -- an Italian flagged oil tanker -- of killing two Indian fishermen who were on a fishing vessel in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague had ruled last year that India was entitled to get compensation in the case but cannot prosecute the two marines due to official immunity enjoyed by them.

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Latorre, who had suffered a brain stroke on August 31, 2014, was first granted bail and allowed by the apex court on September 12, 2014 to go to Italy for four months and after that, extensions have been granted to him. In Italy, Latorre underwent a heart surgery after which the Supreme Court granted him extension of his stay in the country. Girone returned to Italy in 2016.

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PTI