Strauss-Kahn sues French accuser for libel

Dominique Strauss-Kahn's attorney announced on Monday that the former International Monetary Fund chief has filed a defamation suit against Tristane Banon, the French writer who accuses him of having tried to rape her in 2003.

By News Wires (text)

AFP - Former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn has filed a lawsuit for defamation against a young French writer who accuses him of trying to rape her in 2003, his lawyer said Monday.

"It was filed, as we had announced, as soon as we learned of the launch of the preliminary inquiry" by French police into the attempted rape allegations, lawyer Henri Leclerc said, adding that the suit was filed late last week.

LATEST NEWS

The next court hearing for Dominique Strauss-Kahn was Monday delayed until August 1, as his lawyers called for prosecutors to dismiss the sexual assault charges against the former IMF chief.

Strauss-Kahn had been due to appear in court on July 18 on seven charges of trying to rape a hotel maid in May, but the case suffered a major setback when prosecutors said the maid had lied in sworn testimony.

The announcement came after French police on Monday interviewed Tristane Banon, 32, over her claim that the Socialist politician tried to rape her in 2003 when she interviewed him for a book project.

Paris police have been asked by investigating magistrates to look into her formal complaint lodged last week against Strauss-Kahn, who is also accused of sex crimes in New York.

Prosecutors will then decide whether or not to charge the 62-year-old, who was formerly the French opposition Socialists best hope to beat Nicolas Sarkozy in next year's presidential election.

Strauss-Kahn has dismissed as "imaginary" Banon's allegations, which threaten to overwhelm resurgent hopes that he could bounce back politically after being arrested in New York, where the case of his alleged attempted rape of a hotel maid is collapsing after prosecutors raised doubts about his accuser's credibility.

JUSTICE

Who is the French writer accusing Strauss-Kahn of sex crimes?
FRANCE

Prosecutors probe writer's claims against Strauss-Kahn
JUSTICE

Strauss-Kahn prosecutor refuses to leave case

Date created : 11/07/2011

Comments (3)

to make her story written book real!

by maria (not verified) - 26/08/2011 - 06:57

To Miss Bannon, becareful!, everything you said will goes back to you. Both you and your mother have a personal interest with "DSK". Your mom had personal affection and a secrey intimate towrds "DSK" and you want your written book real, and a writer must have to experienced every detailed of word she put in her written book as a real thing. It was premeditated and on the first place, you have knowledge before hand that your mom have a secret affair with "DSK". Let me asked you something , Miss Bannon, Do you have personal grudges with your mom, having this secret affair with this man?, were you secretly jealous? and did you done it intentionally to creat that chaos to destroy the man your mom loves secretly??, and after 9 yrs, you open up your lodged with "DSK" to prove that he cause you wrong too? is it personal grudges towards your mom, and you throw it everything to "DSK" to knocked him down?- You are simply jealous of something!! This is a mom and a daughter personal grudges!!!

report abuse

TRISTANE BANON

by ABDELKADER EL HAMDAOUI (not verified) - 17/08/2011 - 22:31

Men safety is in great jeapordy. Women are dangerous, especially the young ones who are always seducing older guys. We will contribute to help DSK, the victim of those who are morally indignant that is to say jealousy with a halo.