SC restraints Italian Ambassador from leaving India.

The Supreme Court of India on March 14 (Thursday) temporarily barred Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini from leaving the country. Earlier on in this week the Indian government had summoned the Italian ambassador to protest against Rome decision not to send the two Italian mariners charged with the killing of fishermen and who are presently facing trial in the same case.

The two mariners were earlier sent home to Italy to cast their votes for the Italian general elections on February 24-25. The Supreme Court issued a notice to the ambassador for breaching the undertaking of bringing back the two navalmen charged with the killing of two Kerala fishermen. The Apex court also asked the Italian Ambassador to reply to the same by the March, 18.

The Attorney General mentioned the breach of undertaking before the bench of the Supreme Court. The AG also said that Government of India has rejected the diplomatic communication from the embassy stating the mariners would not be returning to the country for trial.

The AG also stated that the government was more concerned about the violation of orders of the highest court of India. Earlier Daniel Mancini stated that he would not leave the country until he was persona non grata (italian) that is an unwelcome guest. He said that he would continue to live in the country until a competent legal authority would make him an unwelcome guest.

He also stated that he was more than happy to live in this country for time to come. The Supreme Court had earlier given leave to the Italian mariners to vote in the February 24-25 national elections. The Supreme Court was given an undertaking by ambassador that both mariners Massimillano Latore and Salvatore Girone would return to India after four weeks to face legal proceedings.

The Italian Government has all the long been of the opinion that the incident occurred on international waters and was trying to get both sailors out of India.  In a note dated March 6, the Italian government asked for a diplomatic meeting in order to reach an amicable solution for the matter.