IMF head Strauss-Khan charged with sexual assault, attempted rape and imprisonment of hotel maid in New York

Here is a story from America that provides information I hadn't previously heard.

It is from Fox News, who some might doubt as a credible source:

www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/16/imf-chief-held-without-bail/

Edam-I don't think DSK is being singled out. I think these kinds of photos are unfair across the board. No one looks at their most worthy of sympathy in those circumstances. They set you up as a convict in people's minds before you've even been tried.

But I quite agree, he should get no special treatment. The fact that so far, he isn't will probably come as a big big shock to him.

Well, the charges have now been laid, and the judicial process will go ahead. Are there any factors about the US system that mean there are concerns about fairness of sex offences trial there?

& the hotel says she's worked there 3 years & has always been an exemplary worker.

Eldritch - yes, the shots of him being arrested are very different to the way the police act over here. But it's not unusual for the US. I don't think he's being singled out. Just not getting any special treatment and quite right too.

I have just been at dinner with our French sales rep, who argued that it must be a set-up because no one in such an important position would do something so stupid. (My colleague and I quoted Bill Clinton at him, but to no avail.) He then undermined his position by saying 'men have their needs'

\link{http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/16/dominique-strauss-kahn-allegations-details?intcmp=239\detailed account of the charges here}

says 'at about 12:00 hours'

\link{http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/16/dominique-strauss-kahn-medical-examination-court-hearing?intcmp=239\more descriptive piece here} - says 'at around 1pm'

The police must have the correct timings though, or the case would collapse? The hotel will have CCTV in the corridors as well as reception.

I've lost count of the number of people at work who expressed scepticism that DSK would rape anyone as 'a man in his position could pay for any hooker he wanted'

Mind you, you don't have to be a rape apologist to feel unease at the 'perp walk' photos of DSK in handcuffs, escorted by police. It is unfair and prejudicial to have any person portrayed in this way even before their committal hearing, let alone trial. Think of how here you tend to be brought into court out of the full glare of cameras, or with a blanket over you if that's not possible.

As a potential flight risk with a major charge hanging over him, he'd be unlikely to get bail. The inability of the US courts to get at Roman Polanski has been a lesson.

Presumably the hotel will have CCTV images (all hotels have them at reception) detailing the precise time that he checked out.

First class and club passengers do not normally need to check in as early as economy passengers. I don't know but, given his position, he may have a special status as a pre-screened passenger. I know there has been a lot of talk of regular business travellers to the USA being given this status as a low risk group.

As I say, there will have to be very thorough examination of precise timings of events to ensure scrupulous fairness to all parties.

Well, the NYPD are certainly getting a chance to brush up on the crime of rape. One of their officers is on trial. Will do a thread about it when the verdict is announced.

Flight AF23 normally departs at 16.40. Do important politicians not to have to check in 2 hours ahead like the rest of the plebs? Even if they don't he didn't leave himself a lot of time for this alleged lunch with his daughter, did he?

Yes, clearly the exacting timing of events are absolutely critical here.

Like all great political animals, he has trouble controlling himself
Fascinating metaphorical language (the BBC story also describes DSK as a 'big beast', not a term ever used of female politicians). The implication is that the leader of the pride naturally takes any lioness he likes the look of

On World at One the phrase used was chaud lapin , which is not quite so powerful... They had \link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stephen-Clarke/e/B001JPC9MW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1\Stephen Clarke} on - he was very interesting about the French attitude to this sort of man...D S-K certainly looked to be doing his best to get safely back to his home burrow where his behaviour appears to be admired

\link{http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1387621/Tristane-Banon-says-raped-IMF-chief-Dominique-Strauss-Kahn.html\excellent photos in the DM}

(incidentally I think it's reasonable for the woman to be referred to as a maid, purely to explain why she was in his room.)

Interesting MoreBeta. Other reports suggest he left the hotel in a hurry, not taking some of his possessions with him. I'm sure it will all come out in the trial though. Well I bloody hope it does.

Criminal complaint says "around 12:00"

I am watching this on US TV.

The Arraignment trial has taken place and he has been refused bail and remanded in custody until 20 May 2011.

Earlier stories crossing the news wires suggesting he was at lunch with his daughter when the alleged events took place. This quote from the [[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d76eaaf2-7f6a-11e0-b239-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1MXFpVyAX
Financial Times:]]

"French media, citing Mr Strauss-Kahn?s lawyers, on Monday said the IMF chief had checked out of the hotel at around 12.28, an hour before the alleged assault and had lunch with his daughter in a New York restaurant."

Bloody hell indeed, proles

I wish all the media would stop referring to her as a "maid". She is a woman. Or victim, or alleged victim if you like.

Also. even good old Emily Maitlis asked French journalist earlier, "do you think he'll survive this sex scandal". Erm, not just a scandal, Emily, a RAPE.

or Polanski, more like