The Italian government on Monday moved India's Supreme Court seeking permission for Salvatore Girone, one of the two Italian marines at the Centre of a deadlock between the countries, to return to Italy while an international court deliberates on the matter. Girone and his colleague Massimilano Latore were arrested in India on charges of killing two Kerala fishermen in 2012. Latore returned to Italy on medical grounds last year.

The Italian counsel assured the court that they would bring Girone back if the international tribunal ruled that they had to be tried in India. They also said they would keep the apex court’s bench apprised of his whereabouts every three months.

The bench agreed to take up the case and the plea will be heard on May 26.

The court had in April suspended proceedings against the two marines after the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea had ruled saying it needed to decide on the jurisdiction of the case.