ROME — Italy's defense minister has offered encouragement to two Italian marines held in India since February for the deaths of two Indian fishermen mistaken for pirates. Sounding emotional, Defense Minister Giampaolo di Paola spoke to the marines Saturday via video and audio hookup shown on Italian TV. He told them he was “confident” India's supreme court will recognize Italy's right to try the pair in Italy and that they would soon return home. The marines have been held in India since February, when, while providing security on a cargo ship, they allegedly shot the fishermen. — AP
