PARIS -- Former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn and his wife, Anne Sinclair, will take legal action over alleged invasion of privacy following French media reports regarding their marriage, the couple's lawyers said Monday.
Henri Leclerc and Frederique Baulieu denounced what they described as "articles showing the most detestable voyeurism about the alleged intentions or states of mind of Anne Sinclair or Dominique Strauss-Kahn," in a statement issued to AFP.
At the weekend, French media coverage was rife with conflicting reports about the state of the couple's relationship.
Citing unnamed sources, Le Figaro reported that Sinclair, a journalist, was considering filing for divorce and had demanded Strauss-Kahn repay the huge sum he spent on his defense after being accused of sexual assault in New York.
However, Le Journal du Dimanche quoted "friends" as saying that Sinclair was unlikely to leave her husband amid concerns that he was depressed. According to the newspaper's unnamed sources, Strauss-Kahn had begun biting his nails until they bled.
Sinclair stood by Strauss-Kahn when his political career was destroyed after he was accused of two separate attempted rape claims.
He resigned his position as head of the IMF after being arrested when a New York hotel chambermaid accused him of attempted rape. The case against him eventually collapsed.
On his return to Paris, Strauss-Kahn was then accused of attempting to rape a writer in 2003, but the case was not pursued.
The French politician now faces renewed pressure after being linked to an alleged prostitution ring -- a claim he denies.
Investigators in the northern French city of Lille claimed the ring brought women over the border from Belgium to have sex with wealthy clients in hotels in the city, including the four-star Carlton.
Last week, Strauss-Kahn renewed his demand to be questioned by judges investigating the case, as his legal team claimed he was the victim of a "media lynching."
"Such a situation, which everyone can see is unhealthy, sensationalist and not without political overtones, cannot continue," his lawyers said in a statement.
"Dominique Strauss-Kahn states once again that he is ready to explain himself, not before the uncertain court of public opinion, but before those who are conducting the judicial inquiry," they added.
No comments:
Post a Comment