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The death penalty for Italian marines in India?

Roberta Angelilli at the European Parliament (credit: RA)
Roberta Angelilli at the European Parliament (credit: RA)

(BRUSSELS2) The fate of the two Italian marines (Maro) held prisoner in India, for having killed (accidentally) in February 2012 two Indian fishermen, has been complicated for a few days with the risk of the death penalty incurred by the two soldiers who were responsible for protecting an Italian ship MT Enrica Lexie.

A charge that would mean the death penalty

More precisely, the NIA - National Investigation Agency - which is investigating the case invoked section 3 of the law aimed at suppressing offenses against safety at sea. A provision which implies in the event of death of the victims, the death penalty , according to indian press. Certainly an agreement was given, in its time, orally that the "death penalty" would not be applied. But the question resurfaces regularly and arouses concern and a number of reactions in the Italian political class, which finds a certain consensus there. Even if, in Rome, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emma Bonino, refuses to argue too much, preferring to have more precise information to decide.

For the Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament, Two years is enough!

The two (Italian) Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament, Roberta Angelilli (Liberties Party, right) and Gianni Pittella (Democratic Party, left) have thus decided to write to the High Representative of the EU, Catherine Ashton. Recent statements by Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, " require official clarification to remove any doubt, specifies Roberta Angelilli in a press release published on her website.

« It is totally unacceptable that, after approximately two years of investigation, the charges have not been clearly defined. This violates fundamental rights, in particular the right to a defence, recognized by international conventions. We demand a clear position from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, so that there is a full implementation of international law. “And to add on his page Facebook : " Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre have been kidnapped in India for two years. That's enough ! »

« The European Commission must take a firm stand ", underlined the two MEPs in front of the press asking him to bring" all possible support to Italy in this regrettable and unacceptable matter”. " Europe cannot continue to stand idly by. It is not only a bilateral affair between two States, but it is the role of European diplomacy, the customary rules of international law and above all respect for fundamental human rights (which) are in question. »

Diplomatic caution, European side

On the side of the High Representative, we claim to be monitoring the situation “ closely ". " Any decision on this case will be studied carefully. said the spokeswoman for C. Ashton in response to questions from my Italian colleagues this Monday (January 13) noon. " The European Union encourages India to find a solution to this case, which has been going on for a very long time. » A solution that must be found” in accordance with the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention " and that " must be part of the global fight against piracy”she added.

Threat of suspension of EU-India negotiations

The European Commissioner for Industry, the Italian Antonio Tajani, goes further than diplomatic language. In an interview with the news agency Adnkronos, given this weekend, he thus advocates the strong way, if the military “ were to risk the death penalty, Europe could not help but react very strongly, for example, to interrupt the negotiations of the free trade agreement with India in progress ».

(Update) Asked by B2, Commissioner Tajani's spokesperson confirmed these remarks, providing some additional details. The commissioner intervened in the event that the Indian authorities, who would charge the Maro with the death penalty for terrorist reasons, this in consideration of the values ​​which are ours”, Commissioner Tajani called on Commission President José-Manuel Barroso, Vice-President Catherine Ashton, and Commissioner Karel de Gucht (trade), “ to reconsider in this case the position of the Commission with regard to free trade negotiations.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde, with Loreline Merelle)

To read on this subject (of which B2 has followed all the adventures, from the beginning):

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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