I think it possible that this is a conspiracy, but it strikes me that this would be a more extraordinary claim than if he really were guilty. Are we sure he has a history? Aside from the current claim, and that French lady, whose mother apparently told her to keep her mouth shut about her attack. Have any other women come forward?

"Your strident support for humiliating and trial-by-press of people who haven't been convicted of anything yet. "

Im sorry, where in the constitution does it talk about humiliating anyone? It seems you have the problem with the judicial system not me.

lol...this thread is funny. All you guys discussing the possibility of a conspiracy makes me laugh. I should just get all indignant and outraged about the mere suggestion and call all you trolls and idiots...but I won't. ;)

I'm glad Putin started this thread, at least I had an incentive to find some in-depth info that proved useful at today's exam from French, where DSK figured prominently ;)

" also you say the "American press". Which countries prevent such discussion? I am pretty sure the British press write stories about people accused of a crime all the time."

None prevent it, but we're more likely to show accused people in handcuffs on the front pages, and assume their guilt. Britain is similarly tabloidish but their libel laws are stronger. I have no idea about Australia. Continental media seems much more restrained and less sensationalist. Although I've only tried to read German and Belgian newspapers.

"It seems you have the problem with the judicial system not me."

You called for the accused (a pervert, you call him) to be treated like a prisoner. You're assuming guilt before knowing all the facts.

You think it's perfectly fine to publicly humiliate people who might be innocent? That's your idea of an impartial judicial system?

Putin, how do you think this should work? They let him fly back to France and only try to arrest him after the trial is over? Do you think this will work? Should we do the same with all suspect criminals - even in cases of manslaughter?

There was clearly enough evidence for a judge to give the go ahead on the arrest.

wether he is guilty or not I'm sad, to have such a able, competent and clever man be accused of rape. Another term by Sarkozy does not rejoice me.

"There was clearly enough evidence for a judge to give the go ahead on the arrest."

There was so much evidence he was only formally arrested after 10 hours of being held in custody. Somehow he managed to have a lunch appointment in between the time he was in the hotel and his attempted flight to France. He also was so concerned with escaping that he even called the hotel to try and get his phone back.

Do people really think, had he managed to leave the country, Sarko's police wouldn't prosecute him?

I mean, the only reason the NYPD knew he was at the airport was because he called the hotel. There is a level of stupidity that must be assumed here that is completely implausible.

I think it is a conspiracy.

How's that tinfoil hat fitting you these days, chamois?

Sometimes women just don't tell the truth.

How Ironic.

Anyway, its the head of the IMF, why the fuck do you care? The best we could all hope for is that he gets struck by a meterorite or something.

Why should I believe her. Few years ago, in Paris a woman accused a man of raping her. Fortunately they have been filmed by safety cameras. On the tape, judges saw that the girl consented.
DSK was to be the main chalenger of Sarkozy for the presidential election next years. He was the head of the IMF. He may have had enemies.

"Sometimes women just don't tell the truth. "

Oh good, here comes the hetero-patriarchy train where you say how frequently women lie about being raped to get back at someone. I guess its easier for some men to believe rapes are lies and exxagerations, easier to stomach than 1 in 4 women (reported)

seen that coming.

I care because I am French, and because in 2012, Sarkozy will probably win because of this conspiracy. (65 milions people rules by Sarkozy 5 more years is way worst than few maids being raped).

Of course the american media are against him. He is a French socialist jew and he is rich. The american opinion will not suspects a poor gril of NY to be a lyer. And of course the jury will follow the opinion of the flock. Yet I hope they won't.

@chamois, are you saying the US Media is anti-Jewish? That's a new accusation...

@Stukus : ok not anti-jewish

@chamois: It's just that poor African immigrants get so many social privileges? Seriously?

I'm not French, so I don't care quite as much as you do, but I wouldn't vote for Sarkozy either. But if you were going to orchestrate a frame-up, you'd do it during the campaign, not when the opposition has a year to come together around another candidate.

First, the other leftist potential candidates aren't liked by people. DSK was the most popular amongst the potential opponant : he cannot be remplaced. And I didn't say that UMP orchestrated the thing.
People take the side of the person that seems to be the less powerful.

Could the maid be telling the truth? Of course. Could it have been a set-up? Oh yes. But we'll never know. Worst case, it's so much better than Allende got, in 1973.

And I don't in the USA, but in France maids don't come to clean the room before you left it. Why did she come in then? Plus if you are to rape a girl, won't you choose the most attractive one?

Not necessarily. Rape is often more about power than lust. I have no opinion on this accusation, I just wanted to add that.

" Plus if you are to rape a girl, won't you choose the most attractive one?"

Rape is about power, not sex. Your other point though is valid. Although perhaps there was miscommunication between the front desk and the cleaning staff. Despite the fact that it's large suite, one would think there would have been evidence in the living room of the room not having been vacated. Maybe DSK is a neat freak.

So I havnt really benn following this story. How is this a frame up?
Not saying it's not, Just wondering why you think so, what evidence you have to support your theory?

To be honest I am not sure that he didn't raped the girl. But I found a lot of things suspicious :
-the political context in which DSK is involve (french presidential election, bailout of several european countries...)
-the maid's testimony is changing with the time. Like the hour when the crime happened.
-she start cleaning the room before he left...
-the first person who reveal this story was a young frenchman of the UMP party.

I am just upset that the whole America is judging him as guilty, when they actually don't know.

But of course since I intended to vote for him, I am a little bit biased.