SC Allows Italian Marine Who Killed Indian Fishermen to Return

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi confirmed that Salvatore Girone would return on 2 June, Italy’s Republic Day.

Italian Marines Massimiliano Latorre (left) and Salvatore Girone. (Photo: Reuters)

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted conditional bail to Italian marine Salvatore Girone on the condition that he report to a designated police station and agree to obey the apex court’s orders after he leaves India. The government supported Girone’s request to leave India on ‘humanitarian grounds.’

Also Read:
A See-Sawing Modi Cannot Decide His Stance on Italian Marine Case

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi confirmed on Twitter that Salvatore Girone would be home on 2 June, Italy’s Republic Day.

We confirm our friendship with India, its people and its government.

Matteo Renzi

The Italian government on Thursday expressed “satisfaction” and promised to fulfill all conditions set by the Indian Supreme Court for allowing Girone to return home until international arbitration in the case.

The court has added fresh conditions to his bail. He has been asked to surrender his passport once he lands in Italy.

The Italian government renews its commitment to comply with the terms and conditions established by the Supreme Court of India. The decision recognises the effort made by the Italian government in resorting to an international arbitration. Italy will show the same commitment during the next phases of the arbitration proceeding.

Foreign Ministry

Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala’s new Chief Minister objected to Mr Girone being allowed to leave the country and said that the Centre’s stand is unacceptable.

An accused who committed the crime here must be tried here. The Centre has been up to foul play in the Italian marines case from the beginning.

Pinarayi Vijayan

On 15 February 2012, two Indian fisherman were killed off the coast of Kerala, aboard the St Antony by being opened fire upon by Italian marines on-board Italian-flagged commercial oil tanker MV Enrica Lexie.

Girone and Massimiliano Latorre are under investigation killing two fishermen. They allegedly mistook the fishermen for ‘pirates.’

The incident occurred about 20.5 nautical miles from the Indian coast, well within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Latorre left India in 2014 for medical treatment and was recently given permission by the Supreme Court to stay in Italy till the end of September.

A United Nations arbitration court hearing the case ruled that India ought to release Girone, who has been detained at the Italian embassy in Delhi for over four years.

India has ruled out Capital punishment for the marines.