VOA标准英语2012--Lawyers Request Diplomatic Immunity for Strauss-Kahn
时间：2012-03-30 08:41:19
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Lawyers Request Diplomatic Immunity1 for Strauss-Kahn
Bronx Supreme2 Court Judge Douglas McKeon heard arguments Wednesday by Strauss-Kahn lawyers that he is entitled to immunity by virtue3 of his former position, as well as international custom and law. Attorney Amit Mehta made the assertion even though the United States did not sign a 1947 United Nations agreement that granted such immunity to the heads of specialized4 international agencies.
“Mr. Strauss-Kahn enjoyed the same kind of diplomatic immunity in process and suit that other high-ranking officials and
diplomats5 enjoy and who are resident in this country - people like the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Russian Consul,” the attorney
noted6.
A criminal case against Strauss-Kahn was dismissed last year because of questions about the
veracity7 of his accuser, Nafissatou Diallo. She worked as a hotel maid who accused him of sexual assault last May. Diallo has now filed a civil suit. Her lawyers argue that the
defense8 motion is a desperate attempt to delay her day in court. They say diplomatic immunity is meant to protect institutions, not individuals, noting that neither the IMF nor the U.S. State Department
invoked9 it on Strauss-Kahn’s behalf.
“If he had immunity, then why didn’t his lawyers say a single word about his immunity during the criminal case," attorney Kenneth Thompson argued. "It does not make sense.”
The hearing in New York comes amid fresh legal troubles for Dominique Strauss-Kahn in his native France. He is facing charges there that he helped
procure10 prostitutes for sexual orgies. His lawyers refer to them as soirees that are not illegal under French law. Attorney Richard Malka says his client strongly denies the pimping charge.
“Supposing even that he had known the status of the women in question, we have to remember that the fact of having relations with an escort would not be an
infraction11 of French law and would be question of an
entirely12 legitimate13 private matter between consenting adults,” he said.
Diallo’s attorneys say the
proceedings14 in France will have no bearing on the civil case in New York. Judge McKeon says he will try to expedite his decision about Strauss-Kahn’s immunity.
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