AMN /

italian-marines-caseFinance Minister Arun Jaitley today affirmed that India has jurisdiction in the Enrica Lexie incident of February 2012 where two Italian naval personnel on board the ship opened fire on an Indian fishing vessel resulting in the death of two fishermen.

The two Italian marines, Sergeants Latorre and Girone, who were charged with murder were detained by the police and the case against them is presently in the Supreme Court.

Making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha on the order of the Hague-based UN Arbitral Tribunal to release the two marines, Mr Jaitley said India has successfully contested against the Italian plea for releasing the marines in the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea. The Tribunal had confirmed Italy’s obligations to return them to India.

The Finance Minister further said the government will fight for the rights of the victims of this incident. He expressed confidence of obtaining justice for the victims.