Italy recalls India ambassador in row over detained marines

May 18, 2012 |

Rome

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Rome has recalled its ambassador to New Delhi over the detention of two Italian marines who allegedly shot dead two Indian fisherman they mistook for pirates, Italy's foreign ministry said Friday.

"The Italian ambassador to New Delhi has been recalled to Rome for consultations on the matter of the marines," the ministry said in a statement, without giving further details.

The two marines, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, are currently in jail in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

They were deployed as anti-piracy guards on board an Italian oil tanker in the Indian Ocean on February 15 when they allegedly mistook Selestian Valentine, 45, and Ajesh Pinky, 24, for pirates, opened fire and killed them.

Italy's government has paid compensation of 144,000 euros ($190,000) to each fisherman's family, but the matter has escalated into a diplomatic row.

In March Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti warned his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh against any prosecution.

Italy insists the incident occurred in international waters and that Indian courts have no jurisdiction, but India disagrees.

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