A Japanese employee of the Sri Lankan Embassy who caused a traffic accident in 2002 should be protected by diplomatic immunity, her lawyer said Thursday at the Tokyo District Court.
During the opening session of her trial, the defense said Akiko Gamo is immune from prosecution under the Vienna Convention, as she was performing official duties when she hit a motorcycle in Chiyoda Ward, seriously injuring the driver. Gamo, 42, has admitted she caused the accident.
The prosecution said the accident occurred when Gamo was driving on personal business. She was on her way home after dropping off a Sri Lankan minister, who was on an unofficial visit to Japan, at his hotel after a shopping trip.