Kerala govt to write to centre against withdrawing prosecutions against two Italian marines

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that his government is disappointed with the centre for seeking direction from the Supreme Court to dispose of all the pending petitions in connection with the Italian Marines case. The state government is likely to write to the centre over the matter to get back its stance.

New Delhi: Dissatisfied with the Union Government’s application before the SC seeking direction to dispose of all the pending petitions in connection with the Italian Marines case, the Kerala Government is all set to write the centre to get back its stance.

These are the sequence of incidents since to February 15, 2012, after Italian marines fired at two Kerala fishermen on Indian waters.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that his government is disappointed with the centre and urged to file a review petition against the International Arbitration Tribunal.

“We have not received any official communication from the centre yet. Also, the Kerala Government is not in favour of withdrawing petitions from the SC. We would write to this to centre,” Vijayan said in a press meet.

The International Arbitration Tribunal held that India is entitled to claim compensation from Italy and said it should cease exercise of criminal proceedings against the two Italian Marines in India’s Jurisdiction.

After the award of the Tribunal, India submitted the SC that it will abide and act in accordance with the tribunal’s award. The petition further sought directions to dispose of all pending petitions pertaining to the Italian Marine Case.

However, Kerala is protesting the decision saying that India should file a review petition before the International Arbitration Tribunal. It states that the firing was held on Indian waters and India has the right to initiate proceedings under its jurisdiction.

It is noted two Indian fishermen were fired off on the Kerala shores by an Italian oil tanker vessel MV Enrica Lexie on February 15, 2012.

Subsequently, the Indian Navy has intercepted the ship and brought it to Kochin.

Latore Massimiliano, Salvatore Gilani the two Italian Marine commandos were arrested by the local police in Kerala. The criminal proceedings were taken by India before the Supreme Court.

Later, the case was moved to International Arbitration Tribunal and the developments were informed before the SC at intervals.