MHA withdraws sanction to NIA to prosecute marines under SUA

The Home Ministry today withdrew the sanction given to the National Investigation Agency to prosecute under an anti-piracy law two Italian marines, accused of killing Kerala fishermen.
The sanction given to NIA to prosecute the two marines under Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Maritime Navigation And Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act (SUA) has been withdrawn, a Home Ministry official said.
The move came after Attorney General assured the Supreme Court that SUA will not be applied in the case against the two marines who have been accused of killing the two fishermen two years ago.
The Italian government had strongly contested the applicability of SUA after NIA sought to prosecute the marines and the Home Ministry subsequently giving the sanction.

Earlier, the Law Ministry has concurred with the External Affairs Ministry on non-applicability of the controversial anti-piracy law which is being strongly contested by the Italian government.
The case pertains to the killing of two Indian fishermen allegedly by Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre on board 'Enrica Lexie' off Kerala coast on February 15, 2012.
The two officers contended that they had apprehended a piracy attack. The marines were arrested on February 19, 2012.