Murder-charge Italian marines on way to Delhi
Murder-charge Italian marines on way to Delhi: India
Rome had announced on March 11 that the marines would not return from special leave granted to them by India’s top court
AFP
Published: 09:41 March 22, 2013
New Delhi: Two Italian marines charged with murder in India are on their way back to New Delhi after the government in Rome agreed they should return to face trial, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
“They are on their way back to Delhi,” Syed Akbaruddin, Indian foreign ministry spokesman told AFP, following Italy’s turnaround late Thursday after its earlier decision unleashed a diplomatic furore.
Rome had announced on March 11 that the marines would not return from special leave granted to them by India’s supreme court, so they could go to Italy to vote in national elections.
Akbaruddin said the marines’ return was “no occasion for gloating”, despite the dramatic reversal by Rome.
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The two marines are accused of having shot dead two Indian fishermen they mistook for pirates off the Indian port of Kochi last year. They were serving as security guards on an Italian oil tanker.
Rome insists the marines should be prosecuted in their home country because the shootings involved an Italian-flagged vessel in international waters. India says the killings took place in waters under its jurisdiction.
No Italian govt will never make the mistake of going back on their words. That will cause a diplomatic disaster for both the countries. There are many other more pleasant ways of tidying over this crisis like arranging a good defense, some kindness towards victim's family like jobs or something & some diplomatic pressure to hasten up the trial.
Indeed, I was expecting comments from many QL members argued that the marines won't return because Italy's argument was right!?
Most of the people feel the same way as you said.
I think, the face of Italy is lost. So is those who supported it.
I understand your humane feelings.
I too remember when mother of one of the two boys expressed her joy while her son was declared free and rejoined his work in Italy.
Public won't bother what both govts say.
Presently , My sympathy is with these gentlemen who are put through so much 'peculiar' situation.
I believe their punishment is over.
Govt, poor lads !
Good profit for media.