IMF chief awaits fate in island jail

AFP/New YorkDominique Strauss-Kahn waited yesterday in New York’s notoriously tough Rikers Island jail to hear whether he will stand trial over the alleged sex assault on a hotel maid described by neighbours as a gentle, hard-working immigrant. The French politician and head of the International Monetary Fund was transferred to Rikers after a judge refused him bail in his first court appearance on Monday, saying he might try to escape to France. The crucial next steps in legal proceedings deciding the powerful figure’s fate were happening behind closed doors in Manhattan, a short distance, but a world away from the grim prison island in the East River. A grand jury is to convene to decide whether there is enough evidence in the accusations that Strauss-Kahn tried to rape a chambermaid at the Sofitel hotel in Times Square. Grand jury proceedings are secret and a spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office would not comment on progress. Meanwhile, in New York’s Bronx borough neighbours of the alleged victim spoke of a quiet woman who lives with her daughter and makes the commute from her working class neighbourhood to swanky Times Square. Whatever happens this week, the bottom has fallen out of Strauss-Kahn’s world. Until Saturday, when the alleged assault took place in his luxury Sofitel suite, the silver-haired Frenchman was a global VIP, enjoying a glamorous lifestyle and dealing with the world’s most powerful leaders. He was also widely seen as the man who could unseat President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2012 elections. Now he is accused of a sickening attempt to force himself on an immigrant maid who allegedly entered his 28th floor room to clean, then found herself chased and assaulted by a naked man. He faces a long prison sentence if convicted. Strauss-Kahn has denied all accusations and his lawyers promise a “vigorous” defense. In remarks at Monday’s bail hearing the chief line of defense centered on assertions that Strauss-Kahn did not try to flee the country, as alleged, and that immediately after the time of the alleged crime he went to have lunch. This, lawyers say, indicates that he had nothing to hide and was not in a panic, as police and prosecutors have suggested.