India court extends Italian marine's leave Published duration 14 January 2015

image copyright AFP image caption Massimiliano Latorre had heart surgery in Italy on 5 January

India's Supreme Court has allowed an Italian marine accused of killing two Indian fishermen in 2012 to extend his stay in Italy by three more months on health grounds.

Massimiliano Latorre had sought the extension last week after undergoing heart surgery in Italy on 5 January.

In December, the court had refused to grant him an extension.

Latorre, along with marine Salvatore Girone, is facing murder charges and the two are on bail pending trial.

Latorre was allowed to go home in September for four months for medical treatment.

The marines were guarding an Italian oil tanker when they opened fire, killing two men off the Kerala coast. The marines said they mistook the fishermen for pirates.

India has ruled out the possibility of a death penalty and invoking the anti-piracy law to try the marines.

Italy has always insisted that as the shooting had taken place in international waters, the men should be tried in Italy.

Last year, Delhi and Rome were involved in a bitter diplomatic row after Italy refused to send the marines back when they were allowed to go home to vote in the February 2013 elections.

The marines eventually returned to Delhi a month later and the court withdrew its controversial order.