Indian Court Demands Italy Answer For Marine Flap

NEW DELHI (AP) – Indian media report that the Supreme Court has barred the Italian ambassador from leaving the country as a dispute over the fate of two Italian marines deepens.

The Press Trust of India says the court on Thursday demanded that the Italian government explain why it refused to return two marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen last year. The court demanded the ambassador file his response by Monday and barred him from leaving the country, PTI reported.

Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Kurshid says the government will treat the matter with urgency.

India let the marines go home in February to vote in elections with a promise from the Italian ambassador that they would return to stand trial. Italy announced Monday it would not send the marines back.