UN arbitration court rules India should release Italian marine: Italy
A UN arbitration court has ruled that India should release an Italian marine, who has been detained in Delhi for more than four years, and allow him to return home, the Italian foreign ministry said on Monday.
A UN arbitration court has ruled that India should release an Italian marine, who has been detained in Delhi for more than four years, and allow him to return home, the Italian foreign ministry said on Monday.
India arrested in 2012 two Italian marines on suspicion they killed two fishermen that they had mistaken for pirates while they had been escorting an oil tanker. One of the pair returned to Italy with health problems, but India has refused to let the other man, Salvatore Girone, leave the country.
However, PTI quoting sources in New Delhi denied that Girone has been ordered to be freed, saying Italy was “misrepresenting” the order which actually affirms the Indian Supreme Court’s authority over the matter. Information reaching the Indian government said “India and Italy asked to approach Supreme Court for relaxation of bail conditions for Girone. Possible return to Italy strictly conditional on Italy guaranteeing to return him if required.”
The case has soured relations between India and Italy, but the two countries agreed last year to move the case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague and abide by its decisions.
Reuters reports the Italian foreign ministry said in a statement that in an initial ruling, the court had decided that Girone should be allowed home. It said it would be in immediate contact with India to try to make sure he would return as soon as possible.
The court will continue to review the merits of the case against the two marines.
PTI, quoting unnamed government sources, said Italy had misrepresented the UN arbitration court’s order and Girone’s bail will be set by the Supreme Court of India.