Italian Marines issue: India says law of the land will apply

India today asserted that law of the land will apply with regard to the two Italian marines, facing trial for alleged killing of two fishermen, notwithstanding the unhappiness among the Italian "friends" over the nature of charges invoked against them.

"This case is unique" as there has been no such precedence, either in India or in Italy, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told reporters here.
He noted that India and its "Italian friends" have different views on the issue, with the Italian side particularly raising questions over aspects like jurisdiction and laws.

"They (Italians) have said they are not in agreement with our views... We have to understand that this process has not been someting our Italian friends are not happy with," the spokesman said.

"We have explained to them the situation but laws of the land will prevail in our courts as our authorities deem fit, he said.

At the same time, he said the final outcome should be awaited till the matter is decided by the Supreme Court.

He noted that the Attorney General has told the court that he will convey the government's final view on February 18.

Italy is angry over invoking of an anti-terrorism international piracy laws against the two marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone and has challenged it in the Supreme Court.

While the two face murder charges, Indian government has already given them a reprieve from death penalty by dropping charges in this regard.

Latorre and Girone, part of a military security team protecting a cargo ship, allegedly fired at Indian fishermen off the coast of Kerala in February 2012 in which two of them died.