India continues to violate Italian jurisdiction over trial: FM

Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi hinted the bail decision would do little to end the diplomatic row with India.

"There's no reason to sing a victory song because the Indians continue to violate Italian jurisdiction," Terzi told the Italian Senate yesterday after the Kerala High Court granted conditional bail to marines Latore Massimilliano and Salvatore Girone.

"Together with Defence Minister Giampaolo di Paola we will examine the concrete meaning of the decision and more specifically the conditions that will be imposed," Terzi said.

The marines, who were arrested from the merchant vessel 'Enrica Lexie' on February 19 from which they fired at the fishermen off Kerala coast on February 15, are at present lodged at the Borstal prison in Kochi.

 

After being in jail for nearly 15 weeks, the two Italian marines were granted bail by the court yesterday with some stringent conditions.

The Court also directed the Kerala government to ensure abundant caution and inform the seaport or other authorities to prevent the two accused from leaving the country.

The Court order in the case which sparked a diplomatic standoff between India and Italy came a day after it turned down that country's plea for quashing an FIR against the marines.

The court had held that the two accused were liable to penal jurisdiction of Indian courts. While Italy claims that the marines should be prosecuted in their home country as the incident occurred on an Italian-flagged vessel in international waters.

Earlier this month, Italy had recalled its ambassador for consultations after the marines were charged with murder.