Envoy says next step is closing marines investigation
(ANSA) – Rome, November 11 – Wrapping up the case should be the next step in India’s investigation of two Italian marines held there on charges of shooting fishermen they mis-identified as pirates, Italy’s special envoy on the matter said Monday.
Staffan De Mistura spoke after four other Italian soldiers, witnesses to the events of February 2012, were interviewed for about six hours by teleconference from the Indian Embassy in Rome.
Renato Voglino, Antonio Fontana, Massimo Andronico and Alessandro Conte were interviewed until mid-afternoon about what occurred when the fishermen were shot and killed by Italian marines Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre, said De Mistura.
Italy refused to send the four witnesses to India to be questioned, and continues to dispute India’s right to hold and try the two marines, arguing that the incident occurred in international waters.
“We wanted this (interrogation) because they are witnesses for the defense and because this is the last step before closing the investigation,” said De Mistura. “We feel sure that we know how to go ahead…because their position is clear and has been even more clarified today,” he said.