SC to hear Marine Latorre’s plea for extension of stay in Italy

Italian Marine Massimiliano Latorre, who along with a colleague is accused of killing Indian fishermen in 2012, on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking extension of his stay in Italy on medical grounds.A bench comprising justices A.R. Dave and Kurian Joseph fixed the plea of Latorre for hearing on April 9.

Latorre, who had undergone a cardiac surgery in Italy in January 2015, has sought the extension saying that recently he had developed certain medical complications and the court be pleased to extend his stay on this ground.

On January 14, the apex court had granted three months extension to Latorre to stay in his country on medical grounds after the Centre said there was no objection on his plea on humanitarian ground.

The bench had permitted the plea of the marine after Italian ambassador gave an identical undertaking, which was given by him on September 12, 2014, when Latorre was allowed to go to his country last year for four months for medical treatment after he suffered a stroke on August 31.

The case against marines pertains to the killing of two Indian fishermen allegedly by Latorre and Salvatore Girone on board ship ‘Enrica Lexie’ off Kerala coast on February 15, 2012.