Jun 03 (NHK) - A hearing at a Tokyo court was suspended for hours on Tuesday after defense lawyers refused to wear face masks.
The incident happened at a murder trial in session at the Tokyo District Court. Officials had installed clear partitions and other preventative measures for COVID-19 so lay judges would feel safe while taking part in trials.
However, the hearing was suspended after two defense lawyers refused to wear face masks.
They argued that they would not be able to fully convey their case to the lay judges with their faces covered. They also said they were in good health and would not come close to the judges.
The hearing resumed two hours later after another set of partitions were installed between the defense team and the lay judges.
Officials at the district court say they are asking all people appearing in court to wear face masks. The presiding judge expressed regret over the lawyers' refusal to comply.
Lay judge trials at the court had been suspended for three months due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Tuesday's hearing was held after a state of emergency for the capital was lifted Monday last week.
Source: ANNnewsCH
