INDIA: Supreme Court lifts restraint order on Italian envoy

The Supreme Court on Tuesday lifted the restraint order on Italian envoy and said that he is now free to leave India. 

The apex court had on March 14 asked the Italian ambassador Daniele Mancini not to leave the country without its permission, taking exception to his government's refusal to send back the two marines, Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone, accused of killing two fishermen off Kerala coast. 

The two marines were allowed by the apex court to go to Italy to cast their vote in the elections there after the Italian ambassador had given an assurance to send them back. 

However, Italian govt precipitated a crisis by announcing that the two marines will not return to India. 

The Italian foreign ministry accused Indian authorities of violating International rights by detaining the marines and said it was "open" to let an international arbitrator to assess the case, according to an official statement. 

The Supreme Court also asked the govt on the setting up of special court to try the marines. 

The court has fixed April 16 as the next date for hearing in the case.

(With inputs from PTI) 

Source: Times of India (02/04/2013): http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Supreme-Court-lifts-restraint-order-on-Italian-envoy/articleshow/19338831.cms