Navy sharpshooters, Bonino: Every posibility still up for discussion. Ms Ashton shares our position

The Italian Foreign Affairs Ministers to her colleagues in Brussels “Undoubtedly, if two years after the event, it has not been possible to lay charges, this is obviously a violation of any idea of adequate justice”

The case of the two Italian Navy sharpshooters, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, gets European. The management of the issue cannot be left only to the two countries involved, because the New Delhi’s handling of the case could set a dangerous precedent. “Undoubtedly, if two years after the event, it has not been possible to lay charges, this is obviously a violation of any idea of justice,” said Minister Bunion ahead of a EU Foreign Ministers meeting. Annoyed by the Indian approach to the issue, she said “there is something wrong with it: India’s failure to charge our riflemen in two years seems astonishing not only for us but for my colleagues as well.”

In addition to the time needed to lay charges, the current Indian law could “invert the burden of proof,” which is “totally unacceptable for the reliability of any judicial system,” and consequently of any state. Bonino spoke at the end of the meeting, having listed the issue as last, among “any other business.” The UE High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, “has confirmed her interest in the case and underlined the solid base of our position.” Minister Bonino comes back with more cards to play: “any possibility is still up for discussion, including EU’s special competence ones.” Not the time to say what the project is for Italy and Europe: “I would not lay my cards on the table” said Minister Bonino. Waiting to play. Preferring not to.

Renato Giannetti