DSK granted bail

Copyright: Guillaume Paumier

After being ordered on Monday by Judge Melissa Jackson to be detained in New York's Rikers Island prison, a correctional facility for sexual offenders, the French Socialist Party favourite, also known as DSK, was at last granted bail today.

This time standing before Justice Michael J. Obus, the French politician was given his 'freedom' at a cost of 1 million dollars. And DSK is hardly a free man, having surrendered his diplomatic passport and agreeing to 24/7 confinement in his wife's New York City apartment.

He will also be kept under strict surveillance around-the-clock by armed officers.

Strauss-Kahn agreed to these terms and provided the court with 5 million dollars in collateral.

To secure his release from prison, the 62 year old politician agreed to waive his extradition rights in order to prove to the court his willingness to cooperate.

He is scheduled to be released from Rikers Island tomorrow afternoon, after the bail is posted.

According to US press, the hearing was attended by his faithful wife Anne Sinclair and daughter Camille.

Following the bail hearing, the French politician was also indicted by the Manhattan court. He now officially faces charges of committing a criminal sexual act, attempted rape and sexual abuse.

If found guilty, the most severe of these charges carries a possible 25-year jail term in the US.

His arraignment is scheduled for the 6th of June.

Defence lawyer, William Taylor, told Europe 1 "the whole family is relieved to know that he is released on bail. We are very happy and pleased and now we can focus more on other issues within the case."

AA