IMF Chief Refused Bail on Charges of Sexual Assault
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the Chief of the International Monetary Fund and frontrunner for the upcoming French Presidential elections for the Socialist Party of France was considered by the Manhattan Criminal Court judge to be too much of a flight risk to allow bail, despite the defense lawyers’ pleas of innocence. The 62-year-old Strauss-Kahn is likely to brought up on charges in another alleged sexual assault case that occurred nine-years past. The French novelist claims that Strauss-Kahn sexually assaulted her nearly a decade ago. The prosecution argued that since France does not extradite its foreign nationals, allowing bail, even for $1 million, would present too great a risk.
His alleged attempt to sexually assault a hotel maid was exacerbated by his attempt to flee the country before authorities were to apprehend the IMF Chief. His arrest sent a heavy blow to the world financial market as the International Monetary Fund continues to wrestle with the debt crisis in Europe as well as throwing the French political system into turmoil. Strauss-Kahn was considered to be the leading candidate to opposed the current French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the upcoming French Presidential Elections.
The plethora of charges leveled against Strauss-Kahn includes attempted rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse, forcible touching, and unlawful imprisonment. The IMF Chief could be facing more than twenty-five years imprisonment if he is found guilty. One of Strauss-Kahn’s defense attorneys, Benjamin Brafman, intoned the possibility of appealing the denial of bail judgment and told reporters confidently “This battle has just begun,”
Some might wonder why Strauss-Kahn has not claimed diplomatic immunity in this situation, but because he was travelling on personal business and was paying for everything personally, he is not protected as a diplomat on this trip. He could seek diplomatic protection only if he were on official business for the International Monetary Fund.
