DSK comments after judge dismissed sexual assault charges
(23 Aug 2011) 1. Mid of Dominique Strauss-Khan arriving at building where he is staying 2. SOUNDBITE: (French) Dominique Strauss-Khan, former head of the International Monetary Fund: "I am relieved for my wife, my children, my friends, all those who supported me during this period by sending me letters and emails. They must know that their support has been very important. I want to return to my country but I still have to take care of a few things before I leave, and I will speak for longer when I return to France. Thank you." ++TURNS AND LEAVES++ STORYLINE Dominique Strauss-Khan on Tuesday arrived back at the townhouse where he was held under house arrest for much of the summer, after a New York City judge dismissed the sensational sexual assault case against him. The judge put his order on hold while the accuser and her lawyer argue that a special prosecutor should be appointed. A decision was expected later on Tuesday. "I am relieved for my wife, my children, my friends, all those who supported me during this period by sending me letters and emails," the former head of the International Monetary Fund told reporters outside the townhouse. "I want to return to my country but I still have a few things to take care of before I leave, and I will speak for longer when I return to France," he added. The decision to drop the charges in the case, that has attracted global attention, had been widely expected after prosecutors filed court papers a day before, arguing that they could not trust the word of the hotel housekeeper accusing the French diplomat of attempted rape. The maid from the West African nation of Guinea claimed that the onetime French presidential contender attacked her and sexually assaulted her when she arrived to clean his luxury hotel suite on May 14. When prosecutors brought charges, they touted their evidence as strong but later noted that DNA evidence didn''t prove a forced encounter. Strauss-Kahn has denied the maid''s allegations from the start. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
