Police in the southern Indian state of Kerala have charged two Italian marines with murder of two Indian fishermen.
The marines were guarding an Italian oil tanker off the coast of Kerala in February when they shot the fishermen, mistaking them for pirates.
Italy claims the incident took place in international waters and the men should be tried in an Italian court.
Rome has paid Rs 10m in compensation to each of the two fishermen’s families and in return the families withdrew civil cases against the marines.
Initially India claimed the incident took place in its territorial waters and the marines should be tried in India, but recently conceded it occurred in international waters and Kerala’s police had no jurisdiction over the men.
However, Kerala’s state government has refused to release the men, stating they should be tried under local law.
Italy has now withdrawn its ambassador to India in protest, as the diplomatic row worsens.
