JUSTICE | 01.07.2011

Former IMF chief in court as doubts surface over sexual assault case

 

Strauss-Kahn is currently under house arrest in New York

Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is set to appear in a New York court Friday, as doubts arise over the sexual assault case against him. The hearing comes in advance of the official opening of the case.

 

The former head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, was set to appear in an unscheduled hearing in New York Friday as questions surfaced about the validity of the case against him.

Media reports have speculated that the case against Strauss-Kahn may be dropped, with questions having arisen over the alleged victim's credibility as a witness.

Strauss-Kahn was arrested May 14 on charges of sexual assault, including rape, against a maid at the New York hotel where he was staying.

But questions about the charges surfaced Tuesday in a New York Times report which said that prosecutors had met with Strauss-Kahn's lawyers to discuss a possible dismissal of charges.

The newspaper said there were doubts about evidence given by the 32-year-old maid. News agency Reuters reported that a source familiar with the case had confirmed it was in danger of collapse. 

Seeking changes to bail terms

With Strauss-Kahn out, Aubry declared herself a French presidential candidate earlier this week

Strauss-Kahn will appear in court on Friday morning to seek changes to his bail conditions, according to defense attorney Benjamin Brafam.

Judge Michael Obus is expected to decide on a change in bail conditions that currently place Strauss-Kahn under 24-hour house arrest, with electronic monitoring via an ankle bracelet. Any new arrangement could require Strauss-Kahn plead guilty to a misdemeanor.

Defense lawyers have challenged the maid's claim that she was raped, building their case on an argument of consensual sex.

Strauss-Kahn resigned from the IMF following his arrest and on June 6 pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. An acquittal could once again throw open the 2012 French presidential race, with Strauss-Kahn having been seen as one of the leading contenders.

The 62-year-old's arrest opened the way for fellow Socialist Party candidates to seek election as French head of state. These included party leader Martine Aubry, who this week announced that she would seek nomination to run as the Socialist candidate.

Author: Richard Connor (AFP, Reuters)
Editor: Martin Kuebler

 

 

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