Strauss-Kahn released after questioning in prostituting probeFebruary 23, 2012 - 10:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been released after two days of questioning by French police over an alleged prostitution ring, BBC News reported. He is to appear before an investigating magistrate on March 28 who will decide whether to press charges. Once a potential candidate for the French presidency, he was questioned about an alleged pimping operation and misuse of company funds. Eight men have already been arrested as part of the inquiry known as the "Carlton affair" - named after a Lille hotel where clients were said to have been supplied with call-girls. Investigators had earlier interviewed prostitutes who said they had sex with the former Socialist politician. Although having sex with a prostitute is not illegal in France, the judge will want to find out whether he was aware the women had been paid for by company expense accounts. Mr Strauss-Kahn resigned as head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in May 2011 after he was charged in New York with the attempted rape of a hotel maid. The case was later dropped. Mr Strauss-Kahn returned to France in September 2011 although the hotel maid involved in the case is pursuing a civil action. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |