Indian Supreme Court Sets Ship Involved in Fatal Accident Free

In February, India detained the Italian ship, MV Enrica Lexie, since two marines onboard killed two fishermen in Indian waters. Today, India’s Supreme Court has allowed the vessel to leave. However, the two marines involved in the case are still being held in India on murder charges.

Italy has maintained the defense that that the marines fired warning shots, accidentally mistaking the Indian fishermen for Somali pirates. According to BBC, six crew members of the Enrica Lexie and four other marines must return to India if needed by the police or courts.

The incident took place off the coast of the southern Indian state of Kerala; the fishermen were reportedly unarmed. Their deaths have created a diplomatic dispute between India and Italy and disorder in India over who has legal jurisdiction over the case.

Italian Merchant vessel Enrica Lexie, residing in Cochin Port under Kerala Police custody, after Arabian Sea shooting.

Italy disagrees that their military personnel can be charged under Indian law, and feel that the marines had immunity as their tanker was flying an Italian flag and the incident occurred in international waters. Up until recently, India insisted that the waters were part of its territory and the marines should be charged under local laws.

The Indian government indicated an apparent change of heart by telling the Supreme Court that Keralan police had no jurisdiction to detain the Italian ship or investigate the incident because it had occurred on the high seas. Keralan officials disagreed.

Finally, Italy has agreed to pay US$189,000 to each of the fishermen’s families, prompting them to withdraw their civil court cases.

UPDATE: Italian Crew Questioned in Shooting Deaths of Two Indian Fishermen

Watch Indian news report below regarding Italy offering compensation to the affected families: