Strauss-Kahn faces investigation into writer’s attempted rape claims

Paris prosecutors begin preliminary inquiry after Tristane Banon files complaint that former IMF chief tried to rape her in 2003 The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened a preliminary inquiry into a complaint filed by French writer Tristane Banon alleging an attempted rape by former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn in 2003. David Koubbi, Banon’s attorney, filed the complaint this week over an incident that Banon claims took place when she went to interview Strauss-Kahn in a Paris apartment when she was in her early 20s. Strauss-Kahn, a Socialist party heavyweight, was a strong favourite to unseat Nicolas Sarkozy in next year’s presidential election until his arrest in New York in May on sex assault charges threw his political future into question. That case appeared to weaken last week, when New York prosecutors questioned the credibility of the hotel maid who alleged he tried to rape her. A court released Strauss-Kahn from house arrest and signs the case is unravelling raised the prospect that he could return to France in the months ahead. The Banon case could still hurt his future. Koubbi said on Thursday there was “physical” evidence in the case, although he declined to say if that included text messages or recordings. Under French law, sexual assault charges must be filed within three years but attempted rape charges can be brought as long as 10 years after the alleged attack. Henri Leclerc, a lawyer for Strauss-Kahn, told Reuters on Monday that he would bring a counter-claim against Banon, calling her version of events “imaginary”. Dominique Strauss-Kahn France Europe guardian.co.uk

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