The Italian Marines Case: Explained In 90 Seconds

It has been three years since two fishermen were killed off the coast of Kerala by Italian Marines. The case is stuck in arbitration proceedings as India and Italy differ on the jurisdiction. Here is the case explained in 90 seconds.

On 15 February 2012, Italian oil tanker MV Enrica Lexie set sail from Sri Lanka towards Djibouti on the Horn of Africa.

On its way, the Italian ship came across MV St Antony, an unarmed Indian fishing boat. As per the Italian version, the marines mistook it for a pirate vessel.

The Indian fishing boat was 20.5 nautical miles from the Indian cost off Ambalapuzha, Kerala, when the two Italian marines, hired to protect their vessel from pirates, opened fire.

Two Indian fishermen on the Indian boat - Jelestine and Ajeesh Pinku - died on the spot.

Soon after the incident, FIRs under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code for causing the death of the two Indian fishermen were registered against the two marines - Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone - and they were arrested.

During the course of their detention, the marines have often been allowed to travel home - once for Christmas, and a few other times to receive medical treatment.

Massimiliano Latorre is already in Italy and has been allowed to stay there by the Supreme Court of India due to medical reasons but is expected to be back in India in April this year.

The other accused, Salvatore Girone, is still in India. According to a Home Ministry official, he will stay until the question of jurisdiction is decided.