In a political betrayal of sorts, the Italian government’s wily volte-face in the Enrica Lexie case has landed the Centre in deep electoral turmoil.
The decision which comes as a major setback to India’s efforts to bring the two marines to justice, can now be resolved only through intense diplomatic intervention, feel experts and former diplomats.
“The courts here can take action only when the issue comes up before them. Now, with the Italian marines not returning, India will not have much options but to go for a diplomatic solution,” said K Mohandas, former Secretary of Shipping, Government of India.
This is the the second time that the court permitted the marines, Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, to go to Italy - first in December 2012, to celebrate Christmas with their families back home and then in February to cast votes in the general elections.
Issuing the order permitting them to go to Italy on February 23, the Supreme Court had stated that they can stay in their country for four weeks. “The marines can leave India and remain in Italy for a period of four weeks from the date of departure from India.
They shall travel to Italy, remain in Italy and return to India under the care, supervision and control of the Italian Republic and shall also report to Chanekyapuri police station, New Delhi, both at the time of their departure and on their return,” according to the court order.
It further said that Italy will provide the address and contact details of the marines and information about their movements in Italy during their stay there.
Shipping experts feel that the marines and the Italian officials were testing the waters for the first time. “The first time they came back, and it was like a dry run. They were just testing the situation out here. it is a major blow to our efforts to bring them before the law. There have been similar cases before.
The marines were released on certain assurances, which we thought they would honour. If those assurances are not going to be honoured nothing can be done, unless the Union Government is determined to go after them, regardless of what happens in the political, social economic side,” said a merchant navy official. The decision by the Italian Foreign Ministry gains significance in the backdrop of a recent bilateral agreement between India and Italy. As per the agreement, if an Italian citizen is convicted in India, he can serve the jail term back in Italy.
Experts feel that the bilateral agreement will come into play in this case, as the marines are currently facing trial in India.
The two marines onboard Italian merchant vessel Enrica Lexie were taken into custody by the Kochi police after they allegedly shot dead two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast on February 15, 2012.