Italian marines' case: Nato warns India, calls for 'appropriate resolution' - The Times of India
BRUSSELS: Natowarned India on Wednesday that using anti-terrorism legislation to try two Italian marinesaccused of killing two Indian fishermen would undermine international efforts to combat piracy.
India has announced its Supreme Courtwill hold a hearing next week on whether to charge marines Massimiliano Latorreand Salvatore Gironeunder its maritime security law, provoking criticism from the European Unionand Italian authorities.
The two men have been living in the Italian embassy in New Delhi.
Nato ( North Atlantic Treaty Organization) chief Anders Fogh Rasmussenon Wednesday called for an "appropriate resolution".
"I am personally very concerned about the situation of the two Italian sailors. I am also concerned by the suggestion that they could be tried for terrorism offences," he told a news conference in Brussels.
"This could have possible negative implications for the international fight against piracy. A fight which is in all of our interest."
Nato leads a counter-piracy mission in the Indian ocean.
The two marines, part of a military security team protecting the tanker Enrica Lexiefrom pirates, are accused of shooting the two fishermen after mistaking them for pirates off Keralain February 2012.
India's attorney general said on Friday the two would be tried for the deaths of the fishermen under the anti-piracy and anti-terrorism law but that the death penalty available under that legislation would not be imposed.
The Supreme Court is due to hold a hearing on February 18 to decide whether to validate or reject the attorney general's request.