Italy scorns Indian decision to try marines with anti-piracy law

Italian sailors Salvatore Girone (R) and Massimiliano Latorre leave the police commissioner office in the southern Indian city of Kochi January 18, 2013. REUTERS/Sivaram V

ROME (Reuters) - Rome harshly criticised an Indian decision to try two Italian marines accused of killing two fisherman under an anti-piracy and anti-terrorism act, in a case that has strained relations between the two countries.

Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, part of a military security team protecting a cargo ship off the coast of the southern state of Kerala, say they thought the fishermen were pirates and fired shots to warn them off in February 2012.