"I've committed no crime or offence. No wild activity took place," says former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn as he takes the stand on charges of pimping.
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Former chief of the International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Kahn denied any wrongdoing during his first day of testimony on charges of pimping.
Speaking in court in the northern French city of Lille on Tuesday (February 10), he denied committing “any crime or offence”, saying “no wild activity took place”.
Strauss-Kahn, known as “DSK”, is expected to give three consecutive days of evidence.
Formerly pegged as a potential candidate for the French presidency, the so-called “party king” is accused of helping to obtain sex workers for an alleged prostitution ring.
He denies knowing the women were prostitutes, but has admitted taking part in orgies.
However, the prosecution argues DSK used his business contacts to hire women for sex parties in Paris, Washington and in Lille’s Carlton Hotel, where the ring is alleged to have been based.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a 1.5-million-euro fine.
As DSK arrived at the courthouse, three members of the Femen radical feminist group demonstrated in front and, at times, on top of his car.
DSK vs #FEMEN / Paris pic.twitter.com/zcHMSv8rJX
— FEMEN (@FEMEN_Movement) February 10, 2015
- FEMEN's topless Strauss Kahn protest
Lille, France
- FEMEN's topless Strauss Kahn protest
Lille, France
- FEMEN's topless Strauss Kahn protest
Lille, France
- FEMEN's topless Strauss Kahn protest
Lille, France
They were dragged away by police shortly afterwards.
Deux Femen se jettent sur la voiture de DSK. pic.twitter.com/8roPrb19qc
— fabien magnenou (@fmagnenou) February 10, 2015
Intervention @FEMEN_Movement au procès DSK Lille pic.twitter.com/AoFCxwEQaw
— Lionel Feuerstein (@olesmains) February 10, 2015