In a meeting with Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini, Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti and the Government’s Special Envoy Staffan De Mistura, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was updated on the case of the Italian Marines still being held in India.
Today’s decision by the Supreme Court in New Delhi not to apply the anti-terrorism law is the result of Italy’s strong opposition to that eventuality.
At the same time, the Italian defence has strongly objected to the role of the NIA (federal police anti-terrorism unit) as investigative body in charge of the case thus far, prompting the Court to further evaluation.
On Saturday, a few hours after being sworn in by the President of the Republic, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi spoke with Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone. Expressing his admiration for the dignity the Marines and their families have shown, Renzi assured them of his full, personal commitment, as well as the government’s, to bring them back to Italy as soon as possible.
The government is determined to continue to raise international awareness in an effort to resolve the question.