Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has talked to his counterpart Manmohan Singh to express concern over the situation involving two Italian marines held in Kerala for allegedly killing two fishermen in February.
Mr. Monti, who has been pressing for transfer of the marines to Italy, is believed to have conveyed concern over the conditions in which the two are in, sources said on Sunday.
The telephonic conversation took place a few days back, prior to the hearing in Kollam court on Saturday which rejected the bail plea of the marines Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone, the sources said.
The marines were arrested on February 19, four days after they allegedly opened fire while travelling by ship Enrica Lexie and killed two fishermen off the coast of Kerala, apparently suspecting them to be pirates.
The telephonic call from Mr. Monti was followed up with Italian Foreign Ministry summoning Indian Ambassador Debabrata Saha in Rome to convey concerns over the murder charges being framed against the marines.
Italy has also recalled its Ambassador to India Giacomo Sanfelice to express its unhappiness over the charge sheet being filed against the marines.
The Italian Prime Minister had earlier called up Dr. Singh in March, warning him against setting a “dangerous precedent” with the prosecution of two Italian marines in India.
“Any attitude from the Indian side that is not fully in line with international law...risks creating a dangerous precedent for international peacekeeping and anti-piracy missions,” Mr. Monti was quoted as saying to Dr. Singh during the March 7 conversation.
“The alleged incident, the circumstances of which still have to be clarified, occurred in international waters and jurisdiction is therefore only Italian,” Mr. Monti had told Dr. Singh, according to a government statement.
Dr. Singh had reportedly told Mr. Monti that he wanted “to avoid tensions between India and Italy”.
Keywords: Italian Marines, Kerala fishermen killing, Enrica Lexie
"The alleged incident occurred in international waters and jurisdiction is therefore only Italian", i didn't get it, why it cant be only Indian as the victims are from India.
And I think the Italian PM dialed a wrong number, he should have called Antanio Maino.
So, killing fishermen, according to the italians, is not a good enough
reason to jail those murderers. I understand their urge to free the
marines of any charge, but their reluctance to atleast send a word of
apology is not acceptable. Their threats are even more irritating
India must take a leafe from Italy as to how the country's leadership is worried about their two citizens. Italy leaves no stone unturned to secure the release her citizens.India has everything to loose if she goes ahead with the case against the Italians, perhaps even a economic sanction. As usual, it may be India's usual drama to deceive the people of India that she is concerned as well. Eventually, they will be released or even arranged an escape route, as India has yet to establish herself as a land that is governed by the people and for the people.
Italy should understand the marine rule & safety protocol is not misused & human life is precious than absurd rules, while their marines knew that they were in Indian waters the why did they shoot the fishermen, Indian waters is not pirate prone, their PM is unjustified in using pressure technique calling the diplomatic mission & now talking tough on the subject which is not in their favor at all, Indian govt must make sure that law of the land holds supreme
Can any reader of your esteemed paper indicate the difference between Indian law and International law as there seems to be no clarity.
Does italy thinks killing two innocent people - and in effect leaving their ailing families lifeless - was in keeping with international laws. ???
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