IMF Head Strauss-Kahn To Undergo Tests Over Sex Charge
By RFE RL
(RFE/RL) — The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dominique Strauss-Kahn has consented to a medical examination over allegations of sexual assault.
Strauss-Kahn, who was arrested on May 14, denies attacking and attempting to rape a hotel maid.
He had been due to appear in court on May 16 but the hearing has been postponed to allow the forensic tests to be carried out.
New York police arrested Strauss-Kahn, 62, on a plane to Paris about to take off from John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Police spokesman Paul Browne said Strauss-Kahn had been charged with a criminal sexual act, attempted rape, and unlawful imprisonment.
Strauss-Kahn denies the charges.
Police say the maid has now formally identified him in a line-up.
Strauss-Kahn had been scheduled to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on May 15, but the meeting has been cancelled.
On May 16, he was to attend a meeting of European Union finance ministers in Brussels to discuss the bailouts of Portugal and Greece.
Reports say John Lipsky will be acting IMF managing director in Strauss-Kahn’s absence.
The IMF has postponed for a day its executive board meeting in the wake of the arrest of Strauss-Kahn.
Strauss-Kahn was also considered a possible Socialist candidate for the presidency.