Italian marine to remain in Italy until dispute is settled: SC

New Delhi, September 28

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the second Italian marine accused of having killed two fishermen off Kerala’s coast in 2012 to remain in Italy until an international arbitration tribunal settled a jurisdictional row between India and Italy.

Italy wanted the Supreme Court to modify Massimiliano Latorre’s bail conditions to let him remain in the country until the dispute was settled, much like his colleague Salvatore Girone, also a suspect in the case.

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Bail conditions imposed on Girone will also be applicable to his colleague.

The court also told the central government to report the progress of the international arbitration to it every three months. The court passed the order after the central government said it had no objections to Latorre remaining in Italy, so long as he had the same bail conditions.

While relaxing Girone's bail terms on May 26, the Supreme Court allowed him to return to Italy until the dispute was settled.

The Supreme Court also imposed four other conditions: Girone must report to an Italian police station on the first Wednesday of every month and Italian authorities must inform the Indian Embassy in Rome about it; he must not tamper with evidence, or influence witnesses, in the case in any way; Girone must undertake to remain under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction; and his bail would be cancelled if he violated its terms.

The marines are accused of killing two Indian fishermen they mistook to be pirates off Kerala’s coast on February 15, 2012.— Agencies