The former head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who was accused of sexual crimes, arrived Friday evening in the Manhattan building where he will reside temporarily under constant surveillance after leaving prison Rikers Island.
The arrival of former French finance minister in the building south of Broadway near Ground Zero, site of the twin towers destroyed in the attacks of Sept. 11, was confirmed to AFP by police.
"It is here," said a police official requesting anonymity, while his brothers erected metal barricades to keep away from many journalists.
"I do not really like (it is there).I find it a little scary, "said Gemma Harding, a woman dressed in his 31 which has magnetized the flashes of many photographers in front of the temporary residence of Mr. Strauss-Kahn.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn was released from prison after a New York judge had approved all the documents establishing the conditions that accompany his parole.
Several addresses were given successively for the dwelling which reside temporarily the former boss of the International Monetary Fund, accused of sex crimes against a hotel employee.
Mr.Strauss-Kahn had to move to an apartment on 65th Street in Manhattan, but the place has been changed due to "invasion" of journalists who upset the neighborhood, said Friday his lawyer, William Taylor.
The man of 62 years will remain "a few days," Judge Michael Obus of New York Supreme Court, in this residence near Ground Zero, owned by the local press to the company Stroz Friedberg responsible for ensuring its implementation house arrest.
He can overcome this temporary residence, unless a case of force majeure.
Mr.Strauss-Kahn will then leave this apartment for another permanent which he may leave for specific reasons - hearings, appointment of lawyers, doctor visits or synagogue - if requested by at least six hours advance, "said Justice in New York.And he can not go out between 10:00 p.m. to 6:00.
Judge Michael Obus was signed earlier this afternoon, the release order of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, jailed since Monday in the Rikers Island prison after his lawyers and his guarantor court had provided the bond of one million dollars and a deposit of five million.
Former IMF chief is accused of sexual assault and attempted rape on May 14 against a housekeeper Guinea 32 years of the Sofitel Manhattan.
Justice had authorized his release Thursday if a set of conditions were met. Besides the security and the security deposit, he had to prove that he was living in a Manhattan residence under surveillance 24 hours 24.
The next meeting of Mr.Strauss-Kahn to justice was set for June 6 At that hearing, he will plead guilty or not guilty to seven counts against him.
If he pleads guilty, there will be no trial but sentenced to several years in prison, whose number will be negotiated with the judge. If he pleads not guilty, as his lawyers have suggested, a trial will take place.
In France, writer and journalist Tristane Banon, who said he was sexually assaulted in 2002 by Dominique Strauss-Kahn, decided against pursuing and will not testify against him in the United States.
She informed by his counsel, Mr. David Koubbi, it reserved "for later" his decision to press charges.But in all cases of possible criminal acts occurring in 2002 would be required in 2012.
Meanwhile, speculation continued to go well on the estate of Mr. Strauss-Kahn to head the IMF.According to European sources, the French Christine Lagarde was "almost inducted" as a candidate of the European Union and "you should already have a signal from Deauville" at the G8 summit on 26 and 27 May in the Normandy resort.
Chancellor Angela Merkel supported lip to Christine Lagarde, saying she had to "particular esteem".
The United States said they were "prepared to support" as a candidate who can create a "broad" support among members of the institution.
The IMF announced Friday that it would open Monday until June 10 nominations for the post of general manager and he stared for "objective" to appoint his number one "by 30 June."
He also denied Friday a report in the New York Times describing the relationships between employees of the institution as marked by leniency vis-à-vis sexual harassment."Harassment is not tolerated in this institution."
As for the future of the former hexagonal poll favorite, "politically, it will be Dominique Strauss-Kahn and his alone" to say "if it can or can not be a candidate in the primary PS, "said Francois Hollande, himself a candidate in the primaries, taking the foot of the Socialist-cons had already drawn a line on an application" DSK ".
