Italian marine: Govt says it abided by int'l tribunal ruling

On a day the Supreme Court allowed Italian marine Salvatore Girone, held in India on murder charges, to return to Italy, the government said it did not oppose it abiding by an international tribunal ruling.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup, however, said that Girone will remain under jurisdiction of the apex court.
The Government conveyed its no objection to Italy's application for relaxation of Girone's bail condition, given the order by the UN arbitration tribunal which was binding on India under international law, he said.
Girone is one of the two Italian marines accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in 2012. The other marine Massimiliano Latorre is already in Italy on health grounds and his stay there was recently extended by the apex court till September 30 this year.

"In addition to supplementary bail conditions, suggested by Union of India, the Supreme Court has stipulated that Italy submit an undertaking assuring that Girone will return to India not only if required by the tribunal but also if required in the interim by the Supreme Court," Swarup said.
The Supreme Court today relaxed the bail conditions of Girone and allowed him to go to his country till an International Arbitral Tribunal decides the jurisdictional issue between India and Italy.

"As directed by the tribunal, Italy has also indicated the conditions for bail which may be imposed by the SC during Girone's stay in Italy duly recognising that he will remain under the authority of the Supreme Court of India during this period.

"Given that the tribunal's order is binding on India under international law, India conveyed its no objection to Italy's application subject to certain additional bail conditions," said Swarup.
Girone, who presently is in the custody of the apex court and residing in Italian embassy here, also sought a direction that Ministry of Home Affairs and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office be asked to provide him with the "necessary residential permit and exit visa".