‘India can quiz four Italian marines via video-conferencing’
24 Aug 2013 4:50 AM IST
Four Italian marines, who were witness to the killing of two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast allegedly by two of their colleagues, will not be sent to India for deposing as witness, Defence Minister Mario Mauro has said.
‘Italy has not refused to allow the four riflemen to make witness statements. But this can be done here in Italy or via video-conference,’ the Minister said on Wednesday.
He said Indian law did not require the four witnesses to travel to India to give evidence in the case.
The four marines were onboard Italian vessel 'Enrica Lexie' when their colleagues Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone allegedly shot dead two fishermen off Kerala coast on 15 February, 2012, mistaking them for pirates.
The four witnesses had earlier conveyed that they were not ready to come to India for deposition as witness following summons from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the case.
They said that they were ready for appearance either through video-conferencing, or a team of NIA should visit Italy for questioning them.
While in New Delhi recently, the envoy had told Indian authorities that the four Italian sailors would not be available for interviews by investigators in the case.
‘Italy has not refused to allow the four riflemen to make witness statements. But this can be done here in Italy or via video-conference,’ the Minister said on Wednesday.
He said Indian law did not require the four witnesses to travel to India to give evidence in the case.
The four marines were onboard Italian vessel 'Enrica Lexie' when their colleagues Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone allegedly shot dead two fishermen off Kerala coast on 15 February, 2012, mistaking them for pirates.
The four witnesses had earlier conveyed that they were not ready to come to India for deposition as witness following summons from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the case.
They said that they were ready for appearance either through video-conferencing, or a team of NIA should visit Italy for questioning them.
While in New Delhi recently, the envoy had told Indian authorities that the four Italian sailors would not be available for interviews by investigators in the case.
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