Italy criticises India's judiciary over Marines case

Rome, Oct 11 (IANS) Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi Thursday said he was "astounded and disconcerted" by the Indian justice system's dithering over the case of two Italian anti-pirate Marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen in February.

India's Supreme Court has still not given its ruling on Italy's petition that it should have jurisdiction over the case because the incident took place on an Italian ship.

The trial of Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone in India's Kollam city on charges including the homicide of fishermen Jelestine Valentine and Ajesh Binki was adjourned Thursday until Nov 8 while the local court waits for the Supreme Court's decision, Italy's ANSA news agency reported.

Xinhua said the Italian minister told a parliament hearing that it was "incredible" that a "state based on the rule of law like India is not capable of showing courage to give a fast ruling that brings our Marines back home".

The Italian government has stated it believes that, regardless of which country has jurisdiction, the Marines should be exempt from prosecution in India as they were military personnel working on an anti-piracy mission.

Latorre and Girone have been at the centre of a diplomatic row between Italy and India since they were detained in February. They were granted bail in June, but must remain in Indian territory, ANSA said.