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Mr Strauss-Kahn denies the allegations against him
A court in New York has remanded IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn in custody on charges of sexual assault.
The judge said Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, is a flight risk. He was arrested on Saturday after boarding a plane, and accused of trying to rape a hotel maid.Mr Strauss-Kahn, who had been seen as a front-runner in France's presidential election in 2012, denies the charges.
His lawyer expressed disappointment at bail being denied, but said his client would be exonerated.
"This battle has just begun," defence lawyer Benjamin Brafman told the court.
Prosecutors told the court it was not the first time Mr Strauss-Kahn had been involved in such an incident and argued he had been arrested attempting to flee the country.
Defence lawyer Benjamin Brafman contested this, saying the defendant had not tried to flee the scene and was actually rushing for a lunch appointment.
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End Quote Judge Melissa JacksonWhen I hear your client was at JFK airport about to board a flight, that raises some concerns”
He added that Mr Strauss-Kahn later called the hotel to say he was at the airport and had left a mobile phone in his room.
'Concerns' However Judge Melissa Jackson denied the defence's offer to post $1m (£617,000) bail and agree to stay with his daughter in New York until the next hearing on Friday."When I hear your client was at JFK airport about to board a flight, that raises some concerns," Ms Jackson said.
The charges relate to an alleged assault at the Times Square Sofitel hotel in New York.
According to the New York Police Department, a 32-year-old maid told officers that when she entered his suite on Saturday afternoon, Mr Strauss-Kahn emerged from the bathroom naked, chased her and sexually assaulted her.
The woman was able to break free and alert the authorities, a NYPD spokesman added.Continued
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