Why Didn't IMF Chief Cite Diplomatic Immunity

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Why Didn't IMF Chief Cite Diplomatic Immunity

May 17. 2011

Dominique Strauss-Kahn (center) being perp walked in New York

IMF chief and politician, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, was arrested in New York, for raping a hotel Sofitel maid, in a case he did not cite diplomatic immunity, though it may have been available to him. Women from different walks of life have also accused him of sexually assaulting or harassing them in other incidents. A French lawmaker and separately Kahn's ex-wife's goddaughter, Tristane Banon, are among his accusers. Some find it hard to believe, women from different nations, with so much to lose, are conspiring to defame him.

Kahn has also incriminated himself, as he fled his hotel suite after the alleged rape, leaving his mobile phone and other possessions behind, in order to catch the next flight out of the country to his destination. According to New York Assistant District Attorney, John A. McConnell, CCTV footage revealed Kahn to be "a man who was in a hurry" when he left the hotel.

Tristane Banon (Photo Credit: Rex Features)

He was hauled off the airplane in handcuffs, 10 minutes before take off and detained for a police line up, where his accuser positively identified him as her assailant. She was then escorted out of the police station under a blanket for privacy. To be clear, it is being reported, Kahn forced the Ghanaian immigrant, who worked as a hotel maid, to perform oral sex on him, then he anally raped her. Blood was found on the bed. Police extracted DNA from him and the alleged victim.

Kahn is being held at the notorious Riker's Island prison, on no bail, where ironically, some inmates would do to him, what he is accused of doing to the maid, had the police not placed him in solitary confinement in a small cell for his own protection. It's a far cry from what he is used to, living in mansions in Washington, DC and France, dining in the finest restaurants and staying at luxurious hotels.