Italy has called back its envoy to India after police in the southern state of Kerala Friday charged two Italian marines for allegedly killing two Indian fishermen in February, highly placed sources sai Saturday.

"Italian Ambassador to India, Giacomo Sanfelice di Monteforte, has been recalled by Rome for consultations hours after Kerala police charged the two marines of murder. The marines on board the Italian vessel 'Enrica Lexie' allegedly shot dead the two Indian fishermen, apparently mistaking them for pirates, on February 15," the sources said.

Meanwhile, the Italian Foreign Ministry release a statement, saying, "In the light of the developments in the situation in Kerala and the charges against the two Italian servicemen, Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Girone, the Italian Ambassador to New Delhi, Giacomo Sanfelice has been recalled to Rome for consultations with the Government."

Italy claims the incident happened in international waters and India has no jurisdiction over it. So, the marines be tried in Italian courts. But Indian authorities claim it happened in its territorial waters.

Under Indian Penal Code, the two marines may face up to life in prison or even capital punishment if convicted by a court of law and approved by a higher court subsequently.