Italian Defence Minister Roberta
Pinotti on Tuesday confirmed the intention of holding dialogue
with India's new government over two Italian marines detained in
the country for alleged murder, but said Italy would seek
international arbitration in the event of further delays.
Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone have been held in
India under mobility restrictions for over two years pending
trial after allegedly shooting dead fishermen Valentine (aka
Gelastine) and Ajesh Binki aboard their trawler during an
anti-piracy mission in February 2012.
"Because of their functional role our two naval fusiliers
must not be tried in India because they are soldiers who were on
an anti-piracy mission on Italy's behalf," reiterated Pinotti.
Last month the Italian government announced it was opening
a "new phase" in the saga, replacing its special envoy on the
case and sending its ambassador back to New Delhi to help steer
the case towards arbitration by an international organisation
such as the UN.
"This government has internationalised the affair by asking
for international arbitration," Pinotti continued.
"We are in talks with the Indian government, which is new
and we shall see what position it takes," said the defence
minister in relation to the new centre-right government led by
Narendra Modi which emerged victorious from India's marathon
general elections in mid-May.
"Thereafter, however, we will not accept any further
delays: our marines have been awaiting charges for two years,"
said Pinotti.
"After these talks we will proceed with arbitration".
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