Italian envoy faces hearing in Indian Supreme Court over marines case

NEW DELHI (AFP) - Italy's ambassador to New Delhi, who was ordered last week to remain in India amid a row over two Italian marines charged with murder, faces a tense hearing in the Supreme Court on Monday.

Mr Daniele Mancini had personally negotiated the release on bail of the two marines last month, enabling them to return to Italy to vote in the country's general election.

After a year of disagreement over their fate between Rome and New Delhi, the Italian government announced last Monday that it would renege on its commitment to send the men back and they would remain at home.

A furious Indian government has warned of "consequences" and is reviewing its ties with Italy, while the Supreme Court ordered that Mr Mancini should remain in the country and explain himself in court on Monday.