Strauss-Kahn: Only 12 sex parties in three years

He said prosecutors had greatly exaggerated the frequency of his "licentious evenings". There had only been 12 in three years, he said.

Mr Strauss-Kahn is accused of helping procure sex workers for a prostitution ring based at a hotel in Lille.

He has argued that he did not know the women were prostitutes.

Although using prostitutes is not illegal in France, supplying them or assisting in supplying them is. Prosecutors have been quoted as saying Mr Strauss-Kahn, 65, played a pivotal role in facilitating the orgies, describing him as the "party king".

If found guilty, the one-time potential candidate for the French presidency could face up to 10 years in jail and a €1.5m (£1.13m) fine.

'He did it for fun'

As he took the stand on Tuesday, Mr Strauss-Kahn said: "I committed no crime, no offence."

"The prosecution gives the impression of unbridled activity," he told the court. But, he added: "There were only 12 parties in total - that is four per year over three years."

Mr Strauss-Kahn also denied organising the parties he took part in.

"I am in no way the organiser of these parties. I did not have the time to organise any party," he said.

As he arrived in court in Lille earlier, three topless protesters from the Femen activist group jumped on his car, with "pimps, clients, guilty" painted on their chests. They were taken away by police.

The former IMF chief - widely known by his initials DSK - is expected to give evidence for three days. He has not attended the trial since it opened on 2 February, when his appearance attracted international media attention.

The day before he was due to testify, an ex-prostitute named Mounia described how she had been paid €900 (£690) by a businessman, David Roquet, for what she had been told would be a "small party".

She told the court that she had been specifically chosen for Mr Strauss-Kahn and no-one else.

Mounia's evidence is expected to play an important part in the trial, as the prosecution tries to prove that he knew she and another woman, Jade, were prostitutes.

 

(BBC)