Supreme Court permits marine to go to Italy

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday permitted Sergeant Salvatore Girone to go back to Italy till the disposal of the dispute by the International Tribunal set up under the United Nations Convention on Laws of Seas.  

The two marines, Girone and Massililana Lattore who were on board the ship 'Enrica Lexie', are accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast on February 15, 2012 after allegedly mistaking them for pirates. Both were granted bail by the apex court in 2013 and were staying in Delhi. Lattore went to Italy last year on medical grounds and his stay has been extended frequently.  

Italy has raised a dispute before the Tribunal contending that the marines were guarding an oil tanker and mistook the fishermen for pirates and the attack was in self defence. As the charge sheet is yet to be filed, India has agreed to abide by the verdict of the Tribunal. The SC, which in 2013 directing constitution of a special court to try the two marines, did not decide the question of jurisdiction as Italy had argued only the tribunal could decide such an issue.