Supreme Court allows Italy marine to delay return for murder trial | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Supreme Court allows Italy marine to delay return for murder trial

Reuters | By, New Delhi
Jan 13, 2016 05:42 PM IST

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed one of two Italian marines facing murder charges over the deaths of two Kerala fishermen to stay in his home country until April 30 following heart surgery.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed one of two Italian marines facing murder charges over the deaths of two Kerala fishermen to stay in his home country until April 30 following heart surgery.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano (R) shakes hands with Italian marine Massimiliano Latorre during a meeting at Quirinale presidential palace in Rome.(REUTERS/Press Officer Presidenza della Repubblica File Photo)
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano (R) shakes hands with Italian marine Massimiliano Latorre during a meeting at Quirinale presidential palace in Rome.(REUTERS/Press Officer Presidenza della Repubblica File Photo)

The decision defuses a possible judicial standoff after an Italian senator said the day before that Massimiliano Latorre would not return to face trial as he had been due to by this Friday, having earlier been allowed home for medical treatment.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“We allow him to stay in Italy until April 30 on health grounds,” a three-judge bench of India’s highest court, headed by Justice Anil R Dave, said in its order.

The Supreme Court set a hearing on April 13 to take up the case of the marines, who stand accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast almost four years ago in an anti-piracy operation that went tragically wrong.

The second sailor on trial, Salvatore Girone, remains at the Italian embassy in New Delhi.

In this file photograph, Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre (R) and Salvatore Girone (L) are seen arriving at Ciampino airport near Rome. (AFP photo)
In this file photograph, Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre (R) and Salvatore Girone (L) are seen arriving at Ciampino airport near Rome. (AFP photo)

Italy and India have been at loggerheads over who has jurisdiction over the case, and Italy has sought international arbitration.

The fallout from India’s arrest of the Italian marines has damaged wider relations between the two countries, contributing to the collapse of a European Union-India summit last year.

In another case this week, a court in Tamil Nadu sentenced 35 crew members of a private American ship - 25 of them foreigners - to five years in jail for illegal possession of arms in Indian waters.

Read: BJP says govt may take action in Italian marines case

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On