Indian PM Demands Italy Return Marines For Trial

NEW DELHI (AP) – India’s prime minister has demanded Italy return two marines accused of killing a pair of fishermen last year or “there will be consequences.”

The government allowed the marines to return home in February to vote in national elections and to celebrate Easter. Italy announced Monday it would not send them back to face trial as promised.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told Parliament on Wednesday that Italy’s decision was “not acceptable” and it threatened to damage relations between the two nations. He said India would take action if Italy did not change its position and send the marines back.

The marines were part of a military security team aboard a cargo ship when they opened fire on a fishing boat they said they mistook for a pirate craft.