ROME, May 28 (Reuters) – An Italian marine who Indian prosecutors accuse of murdering two fishermen throughout an anti-piracy mission returned residence on Saturday after 4 years in custody in New Delhi.

Salvatore Girone, who was held in custody on the Italian embassy within the Indian capital, is one in all two marines arrested in 2012 over the fishermen’s deaths throughout the operation to guard an Italian oil tanker.

The different marine, Massimiliano Latorre, is already again in Italy after struggling well being issues.

The marines say they fired on the fishing boat as a result of they thought the Italian ship they had been assigned to guard, the Enrica Lexie, was beneath assault. Indian prosecutors accuse them of murdering the fishermen.

India’s supreme court docket dominated earlier this week he was free to go residence no less than till Italy’s dispute with India over jurisdiction within the case, which is now in worldwide arbitration, is over.

Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti embraced the uniformed Girone when he arrived at Rome’s Ciampino airport. He was additionally greeted by the overseas minister, the navy’s prime admiral and kinfolk.

India’s Supreme Court mentioned Girone should give up his passport when he arrives in Italy and he will likely be required to return to India inside a month of an order from the tribunal.

The lengthy dispute over the incident has strained relations between India and Italy and its European Union companions.

In an effort to finish authorized wrangling, each nations final 12 months agreed to maneuver their dispute to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which additionally dominated Girone ought to be allowed to return residence earlier this month.

Italy argues that the case shouldn’t be heard in India as a result of the incident occurred in worldwide waters. India has mentioned it stays assured the tribunal will determine in its favour. (Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Helen Popper)

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