CasaPound Neo-Fascists: Italy Should be Ready to Attack India If Marines Found Guilty

Italy should get ready for military intervention in India if two Italian marines charged with killing two fishermen are found guilty, according to neo-fascist organisation CasaPound.

The far-right movement, whose followers plan to demonstrate in Rome's parliamentary square, Piazza Montecitoro, to demand the return from India of Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, wrote that Italy should embark on "military drills in international waters near Kerala" where the incident happened.

"[We should] get ready for the option of a military attack on India if our marines are sentenced," it added.

Tensions between Italy and India have escalated after Italy reneged on a commitment to return Latorre and Girone to Indian authorities after the two were given licence to return to their home country to vote in the national elections and to celebrate Easter with their families.

In response, Delhi barred Italian ambassador Daniele Mancini from leaving the country before Rome overturned its decision to block the marines' return.

In the latest development, Italy's foreign minister Giulio Terzi has resigned, saying he disagreed with the government's decision to send them back.

"The grotesque management of the marines' case by our government cost Italy another humiliation and we cannot stay powerless," said CasaPound's leader Gianluca Iannone.

International boot-licker

"CasaPound is organising demonstrations in all parts of Italy to defend our military's dignity and to protest against a delegitimised government who reduced Italy to international boot-licker."

It went on to say that Italy should close its embassy in India and the Indian consul in Italy. It should also bar the Indian ambassador from leaving the country and withdraw all troops engaged with UN, Nato and EU missions abroad.

CasaPound's demands followed racist remarks by Giacomo Chiappori, Northern League mayor for Diano Marina, who threatened to "hurl an Indian into the sea every minute" if the two marines were convicted.

Latorre and Girone were part of a security team aboard a cargo ship when they began shooting at a boat they claim they mistook for pirates, off the coast of Kerala.

The Italian government claims the offence took place in international waters, and thus the pair should be tried in Italy under international maritime law. India maintains it has jurisdiction over the case.