DSK hearing postponed

Dominique Strauss-Kahn's hearing is set to begin two weeks later. © Γιώργος Α. Παπανδρέου Πρωθυπουργός της Ελλάδας

Originally scheduled for the 18^th of July, a joint statement from the defense and prosecution lawyers released yesterday claimed that further investigation into the matter was needed before the case should be heard.

"We hope that by then [August 1^st] the prosecutor will take the necessary decision to drop the charges against Mr. Strauss-Kahn," explained Benjamin Brafman and William Taylor, the American lawyers defending the French politician.

Strauss-Kahn was released from house arrest on the 1^st of July after contradictions in the alleged victim’s statement were discovered, weakening its credibility. The former director of the IMF is formally charged with sex crimes after being accused by a chambermaid of assaulting her on the 14^th of May in the Sofitel Hotel, New York.

In light of the postponement, most reports are suggesting that even if he is cleared of all charges, it’ll be too late for Strauss-Kahn to run for the French presidency. Prior to this scandal, he had been hotly tipped as Sarkozy’s biggest opponent in the national elections next year. Now it will be down to another leading Socialist figure to take up the mantle. Read the monthly column by our political correspondent in Paris, Julian Nundy, to discover which politicians are in contention. 

Nathalie Miraval