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Irked Italy: marine too ill to return to India

FILE - In this March 20, 2013 file photo Italian marines Salvatore Girone, left, and Massimiliano Latorre, arrive at a military prosecutor's office in Rome. On Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, Italy says a marine who suffered a stroke while detained in India is too ill to return, deepening the diplomatic flap over the 2012 shooting death of two Indian fishermen. Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti said Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014 Massimiliano Latorre's health is the "priority.'" Expressing irritation and disappointment, Pinotti told Italian lawmakers: "Conditions aren't there to let Latorre leave Italy." Latorre is one of two Italian marines detained by India while assigned to anti-piracy duty aboard an Italian cargo ship. No formal charges have been lodged. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca, File) FILE - In this March 20, 2013 file photo Italian marines Salvatore Girone, left, and Massimiliano Latorre, arrive at a military prosecutor's office in Rome. On Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, Italy says a marine who suffered a stroke while detained in India is too ill to return, deepening the diplomatic flap over the 2012 shooting death of two Indian fishermen. Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti said Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014 Massimiliano Latorre's health is the "priority.'" Expressing irritation and disappointment, Pinotti told Italian lawmakers: "Conditions aren't there to let Latorre leave Italy." Latorre is one of two Italian marines detained by India while assigned to anti-piracy duty aboard an Italian cargo ship. No formal charges have been lodged. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca, File)

By Associated Press December 17, 2014 1 min read

ROME (AP) – Italy says a marine who suffered a stroke while detained in India is too ill to return, deepening the diplomatic flap over the 2012 shooting death of two Indian fishermen.

Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti said Wednesday “conditions aren’t there” to let Massimiliano Latorre leave Italy and that his health is the “priority.” Latorre is one of two Italian marines detained by India while assigned to anti-piracy duty aboard an Italian cargo ship. No formal charges have been lodged in the shooting, which Italy says occurred in international waters.

India allowed Latorre to return to Italy for medical treatment earlier this year. On Tuesday India’s Supreme Court refused to extend his Italian leave and denied holiday leave to the other marine. Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said Italy might recall its ambassador.