The ongoing battle of Italian marines

Italy had moved International Tribunal for the Law Sea in July this year challenging India's jurisdiction to try the two Italian Marines. The latest development is that the ITLOS has put the case on "status quo".

On February 12, 2012, two Italian Marines Latorre Massimiliano and Salvatore Girone fatally shot two Indian fishermen from the Enrica Lexie (in picture). The incident is reported to have taken place in international waters. Photo: AP

The marines were brought ashore by Kerala Police on February 19, 2012. Photo: Thulasi Kakkat

Former External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna had a telephonic conversation with and his Italian counterpart Giulio Terzi di Sant’ Agata. India wanted the captain of Enrica Lexia and the two marksmen who shot the fishermen to surrender to Kerala Police. Italy wanted the three to be permitted to leave in return for a joint investigation into the incident. Talks fail. Photo:AP

A poster reading, "Let's save our Marines" at Rome's Campidoglio Capitol Hill in February 23, 2012. Photo: AP

The marines were produced in a court in Kollam on March 19, 2012, the Chief Judicial Magistrate extended the judicial custody of Marines till April 2. Photo: PTI

The Marines meet their family members at the central prison in Thiruvananthapuram on April 20, 2012. The family members are Girone's father Michele Girone, right, wife Giovanna Ardito, third right, mother Maria Ferrara, center, Latorre's sister Franca Latorre, third left, and nephew Christian D'Addario, second left. Italy agreed to pay nearly US $200,000 to each of the families of two dead fishermen. Photo: AP

On March 1, 2012, Italy informed India that it has initiated criminal proceedings against the marines under its law that could lead to a prison term of not less than 21 years. Photo: PTI

The passports of marines were released after Kerala High Court granted conditional permission for the marines to go to Italy for Christmas, subject to the decision of the union government, after which they were granted to leave again during the time of elections. Photo: AP

The Italians refused to return the marines to India. Feeling “insulted and shocked” by Italy’s stand, senior advocate Harish Salve pulls out from representing that country in court. Photo: H. Vibhu

The Italian government said it will return to India two marines facing murder charges in the shooting deaths of two fishermen off the Kerala coast. Photo: V. Sudershan

Italy moves International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Marines case and ITLOS puts 'status quo' on Italian Marines case. Photo: PTI