Rome,Dec 23: Two Italian marines who were detained in India after they mistook two fishermen for pirates and fatally shot them, have returned to Italy for a two-week Christmas leave.
Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, the focal point of a diplomatic spat between Italy and India, landed at Rome's Ciampino airport on Saturday. Mr. Latorre said he couldn't believe he could “finally breathe the air of our beloved Italy.”
An Indian court agreed on Thursday to let them spend Christmas with their families. They must return by January 10.
Italy had to furnish an additional 60 million rupees ($1.1 million) on top of the existing 40 million rupees ($730,000) in bail.
Italy is fighting in India's Supreme Court for jurisdiction to try the Marines at home, arguing the February firing took place in international waters, which Indian authorities dispute.
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