Mar. 22 – The unusual diplomatic circumstances in which India and Italy have become embroiled in reached a highly unusual point when India’s Supreme Court issued a travel ban on Daniele Mancini, the Italian Ambassador to India, effectively contravening international law on diplomatic immunity.
The incident occurred following a situation in which two Italian marines shot and killed two Indian fishermen last year when they apparently mistook them for pirates. The marines were guarding an Italian oil tanker off of India’s southwestern coast when the incident happened.
The marines, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, were arrested and held in the central prison in the Keralan state capital, Trivandrum, but were later released after the Italian government promised that they would stand trial in India for murder. When they returned home, however, the Italian government backtracked on their initial promise to return the marines, arguing that India had violated international laws of the sea.
This critically escalated diplomatic relations between India and Italy. In the aftermath of discussion with Indian officials, however, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has confirmed that the accused marines will in fact be returned to India for trial.
“Indian authorities have given us a written assurance that the marines will be treated well, and that their rights will be respected,” said a statement released by the Italian government.
