Italy Recalls Ambassador to India
By
Liam Moloney in Rome and
Saurabh Chaturvedi in New Delhi connect
Updated Feb. 18, 2014 4:09 a.m. ET
Italy on Tuesday decided to recall its ambassador to India after a court in the Asian country asked the government of New Delhi to provide further information regarding charges against two Italian marines, effectively delaying a decision.
"The main objective for Italy remains that of allowing the return as soon as possible of the two marines to their home country," said Foreign Minister Emma Bonino in a statement. She said the delay by the Indian court is "unacceptable" and shows the "evident Indian incapacity to manage the affair."
For this reason, Italy has recalled its ambassador, Daniele Mancini, back to Rome for consultation, added Ms. Bonino. It didn't say how long the recall would last.
Earlier Tuesday, India's Supreme Court asked its government to explain by next week whether the two marines, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, charged for killing two Indian fishermen in 2012 should be charged under a stringent antipiracy law.
Italy had protested India's plan to charge the marines under the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, 2002 saying that the marines are officers and not pirates.
The court will now hear the two sides on Feb. 24 and may give its final order.
The case has increased tension between India and Italy, which says the marines, who were serving as guards on an Italian tanker, mistook the Indian fishermen for pirates and fired warning shots.
Rome has maintained the men should stand trial in Italy, saying they were on an Italian-flagged ship in international waters. India says the shooting took place in waters under its jurisdiction.
India's government has been slow to proceed with its case against the marines, prompting them to petition the country's Supreme Court to fast track the legal process.
The two marines are out on bail but haven't been allowed to leave India. They were allowed to travel to Italy and vote in the country's general elections last year but were sent back to India despite public pressure to keep them home.
Italy Recalls Ambassador to India - WSJ.com
By
Liam Moloney in Rome and
Saurabh Chaturvedi in New Delhi connect
Updated Feb. 18, 2014 4:09 a.m. ET
Italy on Tuesday decided to recall its ambassador to India after a court in the Asian country asked the government of New Delhi to provide further information regarding charges against two Italian marines, effectively delaying a decision.
"The main objective for Italy remains that of allowing the return as soon as possible of the two marines to their home country," said Foreign Minister Emma Bonino in a statement. She said the delay by the Indian court is "unacceptable" and shows the "evident Indian incapacity to manage the affair."
For this reason, Italy has recalled its ambassador, Daniele Mancini, back to Rome for consultation, added Ms. Bonino. It didn't say how long the recall would last.
Earlier Tuesday, India's Supreme Court asked its government to explain by next week whether the two marines, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, charged for killing two Indian fishermen in 2012 should be charged under a stringent antipiracy law.
Italy had protested India's plan to charge the marines under the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, 2002 saying that the marines are officers and not pirates.
The court will now hear the two sides on Feb. 24 and may give its final order.
The case has increased tension between India and Italy, which says the marines, who were serving as guards on an Italian tanker, mistook the Indian fishermen for pirates and fired warning shots.
Rome has maintained the men should stand trial in Italy, saying they were on an Italian-flagged ship in international waters. India says the shooting took place in waters under its jurisdiction.
India's government has been slow to proceed with its case against the marines, prompting them to petition the country's Supreme Court to fast track the legal process.
The two marines are out on bail but haven't been allowed to leave India. They were allowed to travel to Italy and vote in the country's general elections last year but were sent back to India despite public pressure to keep them home.
Italy Recalls Ambassador to India - WSJ.com