Italian marine Latorre seeks extended stay in Italy, SC to hear case on Sep 20

Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone are facing murder charges for killing two Indian fishermen while they were on duty as security guards on-board the Italian-flagged commercial oil tanker MV Enrica Lexie.

Rome: Massimiliano Latorre, one of the two Italian marines facing murder charges for killing two Indian fishermen, has approached the Supreme Court seeking an extended stay in his country Italy till final decision of international tribunal on jurisdictional issue.

According to news agency ANI, the apex court is expected to hear the case on September 20.

ANI also quoted sources as saying that Italy has approached the highest court seeking modification of bail conditions imposed on one of its marines Massimiliano Latorre.

Latorre and Salvatore Girone, who were on duty as security guards on-board the Italian-flagged commercial oil tanker MV Enrica Lexie, were arrested by Indian authorities in February 2012 after they shot dead two fishermen off the coast of Kerala

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Vikas Swarup had on Wednesday denied reports that Rome has asked India to let the two Marines, accused of killing two Indian fishermen in 2012, to stay back in Italy to boost bilateral ties.

Swarup maintained that no assurances between two countries took place and added that the marines would remain under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India.

During a meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni held on 4 September in Rome, Italy reportedly urged India to allow the two marines to stay back home.

Lattore is currently in Italy on medical grounds after he suffered a stroke in 2014 and Girone, on the other hand, was also allowed to return on 'humanitarian grounds' in May this year.