Switzerland compensates husband of victim of accident caused by a Swiss embassy driver in Washington
Bern, 15.04.2015 - The husband of the victim of a road traffic accident, caused on 6 October 2011 by a driver working for the Swiss embassy in Washington while performing his duties, is to receive compensation in the amount of USD 1.725 million. The Swiss Confederation will pay the sum of USD 1.425 million, while civil liability insurance will cover the remaining USD 300,000 of the total.
On Wednesday the Federal Council took note of the agreement which was reached by the lawyers of the victim's husband and those of the Swiss embassy. The agreement thus brings the case to a definitive end. The civil lawsuit was seeking compensation of USD 10 million.
The driver, who had been employed by the embassy since March 2009, was previously the domestic servant of Hannibal Gaddafi. The FDFA had given him refuge at the embassy in Washington for protection in the wake of the Geneva affair, which involved the individual complaining of having been abused by the Gaddafi couple.
The man has not been working for the embassy since the beginning of the year, the FDFA having terminated his contract for end-2014. At the time of hiring he was informed that he would have to leave his post at the embassy once the situation returned to normal.
Address for enquiries
FDFA Information
Tel. 058 462 31 53
info@eda.admin.ch
Publisher
The Federal Council
https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
