(ANSA) - New Delhi, June 25 - India's Supreme Court on
Thursday postponed until July 14 a hearing in the case of two
Italian marines facing possible trial for murder.
The hearing had been scheduled for July 7 after an original
postponement in late April due to the impending summer recess.
Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone are appealing
against the use of India's NIA anti-terrorism police to probe
the case involving the shooting deaths of two fishermen who they
allegedly mistook for pirates during an international
anti-piracy mission in February 2012.
They argue that the NIA no longer has jurisdiction over the
incident after application of the SUA anti-terrorism act was
dropped last year following an Italian appeal.
The new hearing date comes just ahead of the July 15
deadline for Latorre to return to India from Italy where he has
been receiving medical treatment after suffering a stroke last
summer and undergoing heart surgery in January.
Thursday's postponement is the latest in a long series of
delays in the case that have strained diplomatic relations
between the two countries, with Italy arguing that the marines
should not be tried in India as the case falls outside its
jurisdiction.
A special tribunal has been established in New Delhi to try
the servicemen but all hearings have been postponed pending the
outcome of their Supreme Court appeal.
The next hearing is scheduled for July 1.
India’s Supreme Court delays marines case to July 14
Latorre due to return to India by July 15