PARIS – A French prosecutor on Tuesday, called for former International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, to be acquitted on charges of aggravated pimping during closing arguments in the case against him.
Five of six plaintiffs dropped civil charges against Strauss-Kahn on Monday, saying there was insufficient evidence to prove that the former French presidential hopeful had violated the law.
While a decision will still be rendered by a judge overseeing the trial, the move paves the way for Strauss-Kahn to walk away with a clean record.
Prosecutors in Lille, where the case is being held, had recommended that the charges against Strauss-Kahn be dropped in June 2013.
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They had argued that there was insufficient evidence to convict him. But an examining magistrate ultimately decided there was a valid case and confirmed a month later that the trial would proceed.
Strauss-Kahn is charged, alongside 13 other defendants, with aggravated pimping in relation to illegal sex parties that took place in luxury hotels in Lille, Paris and Washington.
Proceedings in the trial began February 2.
At the heart of the legal case is whether Strauss-Kahn knew that prostitutes were paid to participate in the parties.
Prostitution is not illegal under French law, but the act of aiding and abetting prostitution constitutes organised crime. Sex with multiple people is legal unless it is paid for by someone else.
On Tuesday, French media quoted prosecutor Frederic Fevre as saying there was no evidence which would support a conviction of Strauss-Kahn.
Of the 13 co-defendants, Fevre only called for a two-year partially suspended prison term and fine for one man, a Belgian sex club owner.(dpa/NAN)
