SINGAPORE - Two Italian swimmers were detained in Singapore over a suspected shoplifting incident at Changi Airport but were let off with a warning after diplomatic intervention allowed them to depart for home .

Chiara Tarantino, 22, and Benedetta Pilato, 20, were stopped by police before boarding their flight to Italy on Aug 14, having been caught by surveillance cameras taking perfumes from a store without paying, Italian media reported.

Hours-long questioning and investigations that included a strip search to check for more stolen goods revealed that Tarantino had placed the products in Pilato’s suitcase.

According to Italian media outlet La Gazzetta Dello Sport, they were taken to a hotel shortly after the Italian embassy in Singapore intervened on their behalf.

The pair were allowed to leave Singapore on Aug 18, after they were issued a warning and a repatriation document, having had their passports confiscated earlier.

The Italian Swimming Federation confirmed on Aug 29 that an incident regarding Tarantino and Pilato had occurred that required the intervention of the embassy in Singapore, but during a vacation period beyond federation-sanctioned activities.

The federation has not revealed any disciplinary measures it may take, only saying that it condemns the incident and will “carefully evaluate the matter”.

Tarantino and Pilato had participated in the July 11-Aug 3 World Aquatic Championships in Singapore, after which they had been on holiday in Bali with two other teammates before a scheduled return to Italy via a flight from Singapore.

Pilato issued a lengthy statement on Instagram on Aug 29 about her indirect involvement.

“Unfortunately, I was indirectly involved in an unpleasant incident handled by the Singapore airport authorities. I never intended to commit inappropriate acts,” wrote Pilato, who won a bronze in the 50m breaststroke event in Singapore.

“During days that should have been days of rest and mental relaxation, I instead went through particularly difficult times, far from home, beyond my control, but which have profoundly affected me on a human level.

“Fortunately, the matter was resolved within a few hours, without any implications, thanks in part to my utmost transparency with the airport authorities themselves. I immediately collaborated with the local authorities and with the full support of the embassy,” she wrote adding that she has learnt important lessons about “individual responsibility, and the value of the people around me”.According to swimming site SwimSwam, Tarantino, who has yet to comment on the incident, had taken part in the Singapore championships as a relay swimmer.

The Straits Times has contacted the Singapore Police Force and the Italian Embassy in Singapore for more information.

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