The Indian Supreme Court on Tuesday
closed legal proceedings in India against two Italian marines
who allegedly killed two Indian fishermen while on an
anti-piracy mission in 2012, The Hindu reported.
Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone allegedly
fired on Jelestine and Ajeesh Pinku after mistaking them for
pirates while on duty off the coast of Kerala on the merchant
ship Enrica Lexie.
Last year the International Tribunal of Arbitration ruled in
Italy's favour in the case after a long battle over who had
jurisdiction but said Italy would have to pay compensation for
the loss of life.
Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said the outcome was the result
of a big diplomatic effort.
"All judicial proceedings in India against our marines,
Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre, have been closed," Di
Maio posted on Twitter.
"Thanks to those who worked with perseverance on the case,
thanks to our tireless diplomatic corps, the final word has been
said on this long affair.".
The tribunal ruled that the marines were doing their national
duty and thus subject to the 'flag law'.
The Italian foreign ministry said at the time that Italy would
restart criminal proceedings in the case.
New Delhi allowed Latorre to return to Italy for treatment after
he had a stroke in 2014.
Girone had to wait until 2016 to be able to return to Italy.
Latorre's wife, Paola Moschetti, expressed bitterness.
"I have been forced to speak on behalf of my husband for nine
years," Moschetti told ANSA.
"He has been explicitly banned from speaking, with the risk of
heavy penalties.
"He cannot even participate in any sort of public event.
"He must respect secrecy.
"Now it 's time to ask why the military authorities want to keep
what he knows and wants to say secret.
"What I know is that we have been cannon fodder for the Italian
political world.
"Massimiliano will go to speak to the Rome prosecutors
department".
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