Italian marines will be able to serve jail term in Italy

If convicted, the two Italian marines facing murder charges in Kerala will be able to serve rest of their jail term in Italy, once the agreement between India and their country on transfer of sentenced prisoners comes into effect.

The agreement, which was notified December 17 last year by India, will come into effect two months after the exchange of diplomatic communications from both sides regarding completion of all process at their respective ends.

While Italy has already sent its diplomatic letter informing India of completing its process to implement the pact, India is yet to send the same.

"We are in the process of completing our judicial process," official spokesperson in the ministry of external affairs said when asked about the agreement and its impact on the Italian marines.

The pact will not apply to convicts on death row.

The two Italian marines, Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre, were arrested on February 19 after they shot and killed two Indian fishermen -- Ajesh Binki, 25, and

Jelestine, 45 -- off Alapuzha coast in Kerala on February 15 from the merchant vessel 'Enrica Lexie'.

The incident resulted in Italian government taking up the issue with India strongly, both at diplomatic level as well political.