Italy raises marines case at Asia-Europe conference in India

(ANSA) – Gurgaon, November 12 – Italy on Tuesday raised the case of two Italian marines held in India over the deaths of two Indian fishermen and questions of maritime security at the Asia-Europe ASEM conference in Gurgaon, located in the periphery of New Dehli. The Italian foreign ministry’s central director for Asia, Andrea Perugini, highlighted Italy’s commitment in the fight against piracy, diplomatic sources at the conference told ANSA. Perugini also expressed worry over the accumulated delays in the resolution of the Indian court case centred on Italian Navy Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, the sources said.

The two are accused of killing Ajesh Binki and Valentine aka Gelastine on February 15, 2012, when the marines allegedly opened fire on a fishing trawler from the privately owned Italian-flagged oil-tanker MT Enrica Lexie.

Italy says the marines were on an anti-piracy mission at the time.

Representatives of 51 member countries participated in ASEM, an interregional forum born in 1996 to encourage dialogue between Asia and Europe. Member countries represent 60% of the world population.

This year’s conference was dedicated to sustainable growth and development.

ASEM next year will be hosted in Milan, Italy.