Italian politicians joined with
angry family members of two marines whose request to spend
Christmas holidays at home was rejected by India's Supreme Court
in a long-running case that has heightened tensions between the
two nations.
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano was "greatly
displeased" by the rejection of the request from Massimiliano
Latorre and Salvatore Girone.
Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti said the government was
considering its response to frustrating circumstances.
Meanwhile, members of the families of the two men, held in
India after the shooting of two fishermen there almost three
years ago while the marines were on anti-pirate duty, were
outraged.
Latorre has been in Italy for medical treatment after
suffering a stroke-like attack in India in the summer, but was
refused permission by the Indian court to extend the four-month
leave granted in September.
Latorre's partner Paola Moschetti said the two marines are
facing "a huge injustice" that also hurts their families, the
Italian military and the nation.
"This news hit us deeply. It is not easy," said Moschetti.
The Indian court also refused permission for Girone, who
has been living at the Italian embassy in New Delhi pending a
resolution to the case, to travel home for Christmas.
"The President of the Republic is greatly displeased by the
news coming from New Delhi about the latest negative
developments in the case of the marines," Napolitano's office
said in a statement.
"He will remain in close contact with the government and
will closely follow guidelines to be determined in the
Parliament", the statement said.
The case dates to February 2012 and the two marines have
been held in India without formal charges for much of the time
since then.
India has repeatedly refused to negotiate, insisting the
marines should be tried in India even though the incident
occurred in international waters and during an international
anti-piracy mission.
The deadlock has led to diplomatic friction between the
countries and prompted Italy to begin procedures for obtaining
international arbitration in the case.
Meanwhile, other Italian politicians spoke out against the
ruling in Rome and at the European Parliament in Brussels.
Forza Italia (FI) referred to the "unjust detention" of
Latorre and Girone.
FI deputy leader Mariastella Gelmini said that the Indian
court's refusal of travel requests by the Italian marines was
"an outrage to Italy".
She added that it was "yet another a provocation to Italy,
and also Europe".
Northern League vice-president GianLuca Pini said that it
proved the Italian government's role in the six-month rotating
presidency of the European Union had had no effect on the
marines case.
Lara Comi, representing the FI in the European Parliament,
called India's decision "a very serious violation of human
rights".
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