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Dominique Strauss-Kahn faces vice ring charges | Dominique Strauss-Kahn faces vice ring charges |
(40 minutes later) | |
Former International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn is facing charges in France over alleged involvement in a prostitution ring. | Former International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn is facing charges in France over alleged involvement in a prostitution ring. |
Mr Strauss-Kahn was placed under formal investigation by magistrates in Lille. | Mr Strauss-Kahn was placed under formal investigation by magistrates in Lille. |
He has admitted attending parties where the authorities believe prostitutes were provided by a gang, but denies knowing that they were prostitutes. | He has admitted attending parties where the authorities believe prostitutes were provided by a gang, but denies knowing that they were prostitutes. |
Last May, he resigned from the IMF after being accused of attempting to rape a hotel maid in New York. | Last May, he resigned from the IMF after being accused of attempting to rape a hotel maid in New York. |
The charges were later dropped. | The charges were later dropped. |
The maid, 32, is now bringing a civil case against Mr Strauss-Kahn, which is due to start in New York on Wednesday. He has always denied any wrongdoing. | The maid, 32, is now bringing a civil case against Mr Strauss-Kahn, which is due to start in New York on Wednesday. He has always denied any wrongdoing. |
'No inkling' | 'No inkling' |
Mr Strauss-Kahn faces preliminary charges of procuring prostitutes and involvement in an "organised gang", one of his lawyers said. | Mr Strauss-Kahn faces preliminary charges of procuring prostitutes and involvement in an "organised gang", one of his lawyers said. |
The 62-year-old former IMF head, who could face up to 20 years in prison if tried and convicted, was released on 100,000 euros ($135,000) bail. | The 62-year-old former IMF head, who could face up to 20 years in prison if tried and convicted, was released on 100,000 euros ($135,000) bail. |
Prosecutors say Mr Strauss-Kahn cannot contact defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses or the media in relation to the case. | Prosecutors say Mr Strauss-Kahn cannot contact defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses or the media in relation to the case. |
The BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris says the allegations relate to his supposed involvement in a vice ring that hired prostitutes for hotel orgies, mainly in Lille, but also in Paris and Washington. | The BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris says the allegations relate to his supposed involvement in a vice ring that hired prostitutes for hotel orgies, mainly in Lille, but also in Paris and Washington. |
The case has become known in France as the "Carlton affair", named after a hotel where several orgies are said to have been held. | The case has become known in France as the "Carlton affair", named after a hotel where several orgies are said to have been held. |
The magistrates are examining allegations that business associates of Mr Strauss-Kahn were involved in the prostitution ring, and misusing corporate funds. | The magistrates are examining allegations that business associates of Mr Strauss-Kahn were involved in the prostitution ring, and misusing corporate funds. |
Eight people have already been placed under formal investigation, including a senior police officer. | Eight people have already been placed under formal investigation, including a senior police officer. |
One of Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyers, Richard Malka, said: "He firmly declares that he is not guilty of these acts and never had the least inkling that the women he met could have been prostitutes." | One of Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyers, Richard Malka, said: "He firmly declares that he is not guilty of these acts and never had the least inkling that the women he met could have been prostitutes." |
Consorting with prostitutes is not against the law in France, and Mr Strauss-Kahn has acknowledged that he was at some of the parties with the women. | Consorting with prostitutes is not against the law in France, and Mr Strauss-Kahn has acknowledged that he was at some of the parties with the women. |
Last month he was held in police custody for 48 hours at the start of his formal questioning. | Last month he was held in police custody for 48 hours at the start of his formal questioning. |
Our correspondent says Monday's hearing came as a surprise, and it is not yet clear why Mr Strauss-Kahn appeared before his scheduled appointment later in the week. | Our correspondent says Monday's hearing came as a surprise, and it is not yet clear why Mr Strauss-Kahn appeared before his scheduled appointment later in the week. |
However, Mr Strauss-Kahn is also facing the court case in New York. | However, Mr Strauss-Kahn is also facing the court case in New York. |
He will not appear in person there. | He will not appear in person there. |
His lawyers, and those of the maid, Nafissatou Diallo, will debate whether Mr Strauss-Kahn's position in the IMF afforded him diplomatic immunity. | His lawyers, and those of the maid, Nafissatou Diallo, will debate whether Mr Strauss-Kahn's position in the IMF afforded him diplomatic immunity. |
The criminal charges against Mr Strauss-Kahn were earlier dropped, when doubts emerged over the reliability of Ms Diallo's testimony. | The criminal charges against Mr Strauss-Kahn were earlier dropped, when doubts emerged over the reliability of Ms Diallo's testimony. |
Mr Strauss-Kahn had faced a third case - an accusation by 32-year-old author Tristane Banon of attempted rape. | |
Although magistrates concluded there was prima facie evidence of sexual assault, the statute of limitations precluded a prosecution and the case was dropped. |