India's Supreme Court on
Tuesday postponed a hearing in the case of two Italian marines
facing possible trial for murder until July 1, after the 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.
In its July 1 hearing the Supreme Court will also consider
an appeal from an elderly fisherman who was on the boat with
those who died for the SUA Act to be reapplied.
The SUA Act calls for the automatic application of the
death penalty in case of conviction for murder.
Tuesday'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 hearings have been postponed pending the
outcome of their Supreme Court appeal.
Latorre is currently in Italy for medical treatment after
suffering a stroke last summer and then undergoing heart surgery
in January.
He is due to return to India on July 15.
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