FRANCE: French Socialists are heartened by a New York Times report that the case against former IMF head Dominique-Strauss Kahn could be on the verge of collapse

Record ID: 722269

  • Title: FRANCE: French Socialists are heartened by a New York Times report that the case against former IMF head Dominique-Strauss Kahn could be on the verge of collapse
  • Date: 2nd July 2011
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (JULY 1, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF NEW YORK TIMES WEBSITE WITH ARTICLE ABOUT DOMINIQUE STRAUSS KAHN
  • Embargoed: 17th July 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France, France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVACOZ0SA9061SIIA0YUSPQ15V17
  • Story Text: French Socialist leader Martine Aubry and forrmer prime minister Lionel Jospin on Friday (July 1) welcomed news that the prosecution's case against former IMF boss Dominique Strauss Kahn might be on the verge of collapse.
    The New York Times quoted a source close to the investigation as saying a New York hotel maid Strauss Kahn is alleged to have assaulted had lied repeatedly and prosecutors no longer believed her account of the circumstances of the sexual encounter or of her own background.
    French socialists were relieved after reports that prosecutors now had doubts about the maid's credibility as a witness.
    Strauss-Kahn's supporters in the French Socialist party voiced delight at the apparent reversal and some said they hoped he might re-enter the 2012 presidential race.
    Socialist Leader Martine Aubry said: "I would like to say that the news we got from the American press gives me great joy, just as for all those who are close to Dominique, I hope from the bottom of my heart that the American justice system will as soon as tonight establish the whole of the truth and will allow Dominique to get out of this nightmare," Aubry said.
    Socialist and former French prime minister Lionel Jospin told RTL radio he hoped Strauss Kahn would be cleared of all charges:
    "Of course we need to ask ourselves about the developments of this judicial affair as it's not over yet. Also, in the event that Dominique were to be cleared of all the charges, which I ardently hope of course, it would first be up to him to decide after such a personal shock and then it will be up to the socialists leaders to decide, it's not for me to say," Jospin said.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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