Italy worried over delay in marines' trial, won't send witnesses

Expressing concern over the delay in the trial of its marines charged with murder, Italy on Wednesday ruled out sending four seamen as witnesses in the case and sought other legal options to take forward the investigation. Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Stefan De Mistura met External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid here to convey concern over the delay in the trial.

During the meeting, Khurshid expressed willingness of his ministry to facilitate "direct" interactions between the teams of the two countries to better understand their respective positions in the case, Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said.

However, official sources ruled out any "out of court" settlement in the matter.

While refusing to send four other marines, who were witness to the killing of fishermen off Kerala coast allegedly by two of their colleagues, for the investigation, the Italian minister asked for other options to take forward the trial.

The other options include appearance through video conferencing, a visit by a team of national Investigation Agency to Italy for questioning them or the investigators can send them written questions which they would reply.

The four marines, who were on board Italian vessel 'Enrica Lexie' and were present at the spot when their colleagues Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone allegedly shot dead two fishermen on February 15, 2012, were summoned by the NIA which is handling the probe.