The Italian government will not
participate in a trial for the two Italian marines held in India
for over two years for allegedly killing two Indian fishermen
during an anti-piracy mission, Italy's special envoy in the case
Staffan de Mistura said Wednesday.
"Whatever happens at the March 28 hearing in New Delhi, we
will not be present," De Mistura said to an Italian House
committee, adding "the Italian position is very firm: no trial".
De Mistura also reiterated that Italy's goal is to rally
international support for the case.
On Friday, the Indian Supreme Court will examine an appeal
filed by the Italian marines accused of killing two Indian
fisherman in 2012.
Earlier this month, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore
Girone filed a petition to prevent the Indian authorities from
permitting that country's NIA anti-terrorism police to probe the
case.
The court is also expected to review the marine's request
to return to Italy to await the beginning of the trial.
The 50-page document argues that allowing the NIA to probe
the case is not valid because its jurisdiction only extends to
certain laws, such as suppression of piracy, which do not apply
to the Italian marines.
The document was prepared by the Italian legal team that
has worked with the two marines for almost two years.
India's Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati has already told
the supreme court in New Delhi that he favoured dropping the
anti-terrorism laws in this case - but has still asked the
courts to uphold the NIA leading the investigation.
Latorre and Girone are accused of killing fishermen
Valentine (aka Gelastine) and Ajesh Binki after allegedly
mistaking them for pirates and reportedly opening fire on their
fishing trawler.
The incident occurred while the marines were guarding the
privately owned Italian-flagged oil-tanker MT Enrica Lexie off
the coast of the southern Indian state of Kerala in February
2012.
The two marines have been living and working at the Italian
embassy in India pending charges.
Rome has protested a long series of delays in the case,
which has caused a deep diplomatic schism between the countries.
Italy is seeking international arbitration on the incident,
which it insists took place in international waters.
Premier Matteo Renzi said on his appointment last month the
case was "absurd and shocking".
He said the pair have been stuck "for too long" in New
Delhi and has given them his personal guarantee to see them
returned to Italy.
De Mistura has argued that if the marines must face trial,
it should be in Italy.
"They must come home," he said.
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