India won't let Italian ambassador cross border
Source: Agencies |
March 19, 2013, Tuesday
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INDIA'S Supreme Court yesterday rejected the Italian ambassador's explanation for his country's refusal to return two Italian marines charged with killing two Indian fishermen, and indefinitely extended its order barring the diplomat from leaving the country.
Ambassador Daniele Mancini had given the Indian court a written promise the men would return to India by March 22. Last week Italy announced the men would not go back. The court then barred Mancini from leaving India and asked him to explain.
Mancini drew an angry response from Chief Justice Altamas Kabir yesterday when he said his undertaking represented his government's position, which had changed. Kabir told Mancini that his undertaking was a personal one, and he had violated it.
"We never expected the Italian government to act in this manner," Kabir said.
Mancini also cited his own diplomatic immunity in opposing the court's order. The next court hearing is set for April 2.
The dispute has damaged relations between India and Italy. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said there will be consequences if Italy does not return the two, and last week India's Foreign Ministry said India was reviewing "all aspects" of its relations with Italy.
The marines, Massimilian Latorre and Salvatore Girone, were part of a military security team on board a cargo ship when they opened fire on a fishing boat in February last year, killing the two fishermen. The marines said they mistook the fishing boat for a pirate craft.
The court had allowed the marines to leave India in February to vote in Italian elections and to celebrate Easter.
Ambassador Daniele Mancini had given the Indian court a written promise the men would return to India by March 22. Last week Italy announced the men would not go back. The court then barred Mancini from leaving India and asked him to explain.
Mancini drew an angry response from Chief Justice Altamas Kabir yesterday when he said his undertaking represented his government's position, which had changed. Kabir told Mancini that his undertaking was a personal one, and he had violated it.
"We never expected the Italian government to act in this manner," Kabir said.
Mancini also cited his own diplomatic immunity in opposing the court's order. The next court hearing is set for April 2.
The dispute has damaged relations between India and Italy. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said there will be consequences if Italy does not return the two, and last week India's Foreign Ministry said India was reviewing "all aspects" of its relations with Italy.
The marines, Massimilian Latorre and Salvatore Girone, were part of a military security team on board a cargo ship when they opened fire on a fishing boat in February last year, killing the two fishermen. The marines said they mistook the fishing boat for a pirate craft.
The court had allowed the marines to leave India in February to vote in Italian elections and to celebrate Easter.
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