Marines issue: SC restrains Italian envoy Daniel Mancini from leaving India - Hindustan Times

Italian envoy Daniele Mancini speaks at India Entrepreneurship Summit in New Delhi. PTI Photo The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to Italian Ambassador Daniel Mancini and restrained him from leaving the country after Italy refused to send back two marines charged with killing Indian fishermen. The notice was issued on the basis of the response on marines issue submitted by attorney general in the apex court. The apex court also sought explanation from Italian government for reneging on its assurance to send back the marines to face trial in India. "The Chief Justice has issued a notice to the Italian ambassador stating not to leave the country and has sought a reply from the ambassador by March 18," said Viplav Sharma, defence counsel for the Italian marines. The Supreme Court had allowed the two marines, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, to go to Italy last month, on a written assurance by the Italian ambassador that they would return in four weeks' time. But on Monday, Rome conveyed to New Delhi that marines would not be coming back to India. The SC, in its February 22 order, referred to the affidavit filed by Italian ambassador in which he cited Italy's law to support the case of marines being temporarily allowed to go back home for voting. "In the affidavit, the ambassador has indicated that under Italian laws, the petitioners (marines) are not entitled to cast their votes in present circumstances and to travel to Italy for the purpose," the SC had said in its order. The content of the affidavit, however, drew criticism from the opposition. Opposition leader in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley drew the attention towards a notification issued by the Italian interior ministry on voting rules for its overseas citizens. In this file photograph, Italian marines Latore Massimiliano (L) and Salvatore Girone (R) are escorted by police outside a court in Kollam. AFP photo Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday warned Italy of "consequences" if it did not stand by its commitment and send back the two marines, accused of shooting dead two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012, to face trial in India. In a strongly worded statement in Parliament, Singh said Italy had not only violated "every rule of diplomatic discourse", but also called into question "solemn commitments given by an accredited representative of a government". Singh told MPs Italy's actions were not acceptable "by any standards", after opposition parties attacked the government in both the Houses. Fishermen killings case timeline: Feb 15, 2012: Two Indian fishermen killed when marines from Italian ship Enrica Lexie fired at their boat off Kollam coast Feb 19, 2012: Kerala police arrest two marines. Italy protests saying incident occurred in international waters. It sparks a diplomatic row between two countries. May, 2012: Marines released from jail after 105 days' judicial custody. Many senior Italian ministers visit marines. Dec 21, 2012: HC allows marines to go home to celebrate Christmas. Jan 4, 2013: They return to Kochi to face probe. Jan 18, 2013: SC  asks centre to set up a maritime court to try them and shifts case to Delhi. SC allows them to got to Italy to cast their votes. March 11, 2013: Italy informs India that marines won't be back. March 13, 2013: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh warns Italy of "consequences" if it did not stand by its commitment and send back the two marines. March 14, 2013: SC restrains Italy envoy Daniel Mancini from leaving India, and directs him to file his reponse on March 18. (With inputs from HT, PTI, Reuters) via Top Stories - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEJrrAKGbUeAzE5fF5Ifr7P6gIeuw&url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Marines-issue-SC-restrains-Italian-envoy-Daniele-Mancini-from-leaving-India/Article1-1026169.aspx

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