Dominique Strauss-Kahn will learn his fate on June 12, a French court said on Friday, as the former IMF chief's trial for aggravated pimping wrapped up.
The three-week trial, held under the glare of the world's media, has exposed sordid details about the sexual habits of Strauss-Kahn, who was once favourite to become French president.
"This is the first time during the trial that I've been able to speak and have the feeling that I am being listened to. Thank you for that," said Strauss-Kahn as he took the stand for the final time.
As the trial drew to an end, the case against DSK -- as he is widely known in France -- appeared to be weakening.
First, two former prostitutes dropped a civil lawsuit against him and then the prosecutor called for him to be acquitted for lack of evidence.
The silver-haired economist has always denied the charges against him for procuring prostitutes to attend sex parties in Brussels, Paris and Washington.
He maintains he never knew the women brought by his entourage to the orgies were prostitutes. The friends in question testified they had kept the fact secret from him.
While prostitution is legal in France, organising and profiting from prostitution is considered pimping and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Strauss-Kahn's veteran lawyer Henri Leclerc, 84, told the court the case against his client had "collapsed" as he delivered his closing arguments.
He has admitted he is a libertine, but said he is "horrified" by the use of prostitutes.
Strauss-Kahn said the testimony of former prostitute Jade, who told how he took her on a tour of the IMF headquarters in Washington, was proof of his ignorance as he would never have risked taking a call girl to his place of work.
The case has been a further humiliation for Strauss-Kahn four years after his high-flying career and presidential prospects were torpedoed by accusations of sexual assault by a New York hotel maid in May 2011, a case later settled in a civil suit.
Strauss-Kahn found himself in the dock alongside 13 others involved in an alleged prostitution ring based in the north of France, in which local businessmen organised prostitutes for sex parties.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn will learn his fate on June 12, a French court said on Friday, as the former IMF chief’s trial for aggravated pimping wrapped up.
The three-week trial, held under the glare of the world’s media, has exposed sordid details about the sexual habits of Strauss-Kahn, who was once favourite to become French president.
“This is the first time during the trial that I’ve been able to speak and have the feeling that I am being listened to. Thank you for that,” said Strauss-Kahn as he took the stand for the final time.
As the trial drew to an end, the case against DSK — as he is widely known in France — appeared to be weakening.
First, two former prostitutes dropped a civil lawsuit against him and then the prosecutor called for him to be acquitted for lack of evidence.
The silver-haired economist has always denied the charges against him for procuring prostitutes to attend sex parties in Brussels, Paris and Washington.
He maintains he never knew the women brought by his entourage to the orgies were prostitutes. The friends in question testified they had kept the fact secret from him.
While prostitution is legal in France, organising and profiting from prostitution is considered pimping and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Strauss-Kahn’s veteran lawyer Henri Leclerc, 84, told the court the case against his client had “collapsed” as he delivered his closing arguments.
He has admitted he is a libertine, but said he is “horrified” by the use of prostitutes.
Strauss-Kahn said the testimony of former prostitute Jade, who told how he took her on a tour of the IMF headquarters in Washington, was proof of his ignorance as he would never have risked taking a call girl to his place of work.
The case has been a further humiliation for Strauss-Kahn four years after his high-flying career and presidential prospects were torpedoed by accusations of sexual assault by a New York hotel maid in May 2011, a case later settled in a civil suit.
Strauss-Kahn found himself in the dock alongside 13 others involved in an alleged prostitution ring based in the north of France, in which local businessmen organised prostitutes for sex parties.
