A Rome preliminary investigations
judge (GIP) on Monday acquitted two Italian marines accused of
killing two Indian fishermen off India after mistaking them for
pirates in 2012.
The GIP's ruling had been expected after prosecutor in December
asked the charges against Salvatore Girone and
Massimiliano Latorre to be dropped in the deaths of Valentine
Jelastine and Ajeesh Pink.
The marines were doing anti-piracy duty aboard the merchant ship
Enrica Lexie in February 2012 off the coast of Kerala, southern
India, when they fired on the Indian fishing boat.
The GIP ruled, like the prosecutors, that they acted while
respecting the rules of engagement.
He said they were convinced they were under assault
from pirates.
In 2020 Italy got jurisdiction in the case after a long
wrangle with India.
A Hague tribunal ordered the payment of 1.1 million euros to the
two fishermen's families last June.
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