Supreme Court allows Italian marine, accused of killing Indian fishermen, to return home

The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed an Italian marine, who is accused of killing two Indian fishermen, to return to his home Italy. The apex court has also asked Salvatore Girone to not to make an attempt to influence the witnesses or destroy evidence in the case as he returns to Italy. The court has also asked the Italian ambassador to provide an undertaking that Girone would be brought back to India to face trial on time.

The United Nations tribunal has however decided on a jurisdictional issue between India and Italy. Another Italian marine Massimiliano Lattore, also accused of killing the fishermen, was allowed by the apex court earlier to return home on health grounds. Recently, the court had extended his stay in Italy until September 30.

The two marines are accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast after allegedly mistaking them for pirates on February 15, 2012.