Defence Minister Roberta
Pinotti said on Thursday that Italy was determined to pursue
efforts to resolve a diplomatic spat with India over two Italian
marines facing possible charges there in connection with the
deaths of two fishermen in 2012.
Pinotti said a ruling by the International Tribunal for the
Law of the Sea in Hamburg in August stating that India has no
jurisdiction over the case was "a very important step".
"We are therefore continuing to follow the path of
international resolution," said Pinotti.
The Indian supreme court has suspended all judicial
proceedings regarding the two Italian marines in compliance with
the Hamburg court's ruling. It is due to reassess the situation
in January.
Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone are accused of
killing fishermen Valentine (aka Gelastine) and Ajesh Binki
after allegedly mistaking them for pirates and opening fire on
their fishing trawler while guarding the privately owned
Italian-flagged oil-tanker MT Enrica Lexie off the coast of
Kerala on February 15, 2012.
India granted Latorre leave to return to Italy last year
after he suffered a stroke.
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