India has decided that the two Italian marines charged with murdering a pair of Kerala fishermen will not be tried under a maritime security law that carries the death sentence.
The Home Ministry last month gave the National Investigation Agency, India's anti-terrorism body, permission to prosecute the Italians under the law that's part of an anti-piracy and anti-terrorism act but that decision has now been revoked.
The marines were arrested in 2012 and were later granted bail, but they cannot leave India.
Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone were guarding an Italian cargo ship when they allegedly mistook the fishermen for pirates and opened fire.
Italy says that the marines should not be tried in India because the shooting took place in international waters. India disagrees.
The Supreme Court ruled in January 2013 that a trial would take place in India but charges have not yet been filed, partly because of confusion regarding which law the men should be prosecuted under.
A huge diplomatic dispute was triggered in March last year when Italy said the marines, who had been allowed to travel home to vote in the national election by the Supreme Court, would not return.
It finally sent the naval officers back on a special plane after getting an assurance from India that they would not be tried under laws that allow for the death penalty