India had granted Massimiliano Latorre, who suffered a stroke while in New Delhi in 2014, a period of leave in Italy for medical treatment, but he was supposed to return by Friday.
Advertisement
” In addition, the chance of requesting Salvatore Girone’s return has been investigated, and Massimiliano Latorre won’t go back to Asia”, explained leader of the Senate Support Committee, Nicola Latorre, based on German press.
When Sorabjee suggested a hearing in February to hear the substantive pleas against the prosecution of Latorre and Salvatorre Girone (who is staying in the Italian embassy in New Delhi), the bench was reluctant as it appeared the UNCLOS arbitration proceedings before the yet-to-be constituted Annex VII Arbitral Tribunal to hear the parties, may not be over by February.
The detention of the marines, the murder charges and the long wait for the case to be resolved are sore subjects in Italy with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi regularly flayed by opposition leaders for failing to get both men home.
The demand came in wake of news reports quoting an Italian Senator that Massimiliano Latorre – one of the two accused in killings – will not return to India. Swamy had filed the contempt petition in the matter filed in 2013, seeking action against the two Italian marines, who, he alleged had committed contempt of Supreme Court.
India’s top court Wednesday granted an Italian marine detained over the killing of two fishermen another three months at home on health grounds in the latest chapter of a legal battle that has caused a diplomatic row.
The two marines have told court they mistook the fishing boat for a pirate ship and fired warning shots.
Advertisement
“On the bases of that order, the government retains that any decision by the Indian Supreme Court relative to rifleman Latorre is precluded, and that he therefore can remain in Italy for the entire arbitration procedure”, the ministry said. C Unnikrishnan, a lawyer for one of the victims’ wives said Italy’s stand was wrong they had signed an affidavit saying they would send Latorre back when directed by India’s Supreme Court.
