(사진제공=AP통신)
(사진제공=AP통신)
(사진제공=AP통신)
[파리=AP/KNS뉴스통신] 20일 프랑스 당국은 대통령 유력 주자인 국제통화기금 도미니크 스트로스칸 전 총재의 한 여성 작가에 대한 성추행 사건을 조사하기 시작한 것으로 알려졌다.
프랑스 당국의 조사가 시작되면서 그 동안 감쳐졌던 성 추행 사건의 실체가 나타나기 시작했다. 20일 피해 작가 고소한 작가 트리스탄 바농의 모친은 신문과의 인터뷰에서 그녀의 딸이 스트로스칸 전 총재와 합의하에 성관계를 가졌던 것으로 밝혔다.
현재 미국 뉴욕에서 호텔 종업원 성폭행 혐의로 재판을 받고 있는 스트로스칸 전 총재는 19일 검찰과 함께 이들 2명의 피해 여성의 변호인과 만났으나 자신의 범행을 부인하고 있는 것으로 알려졌다.
스트로스칸 전 총재가 성폭행사건으로 재판을 받고 있는 가운데 내년 프랑스 대통령선거의 사회당 후보로 나설 것으로 보이는 프랑수아 올랑드 프랑스 사회당 전 대표에 대한 이목이 집중되고 있다.
프랑스 작가에 대한 성폭행 혐의에 대한 제보자가 프랑수아 올랑드 사회당 전 대표였다는 사실이 알려지면서 사회당에 먹구름이 끼고 있다. 올랑드 전 대표는 이번 조사과정에 대해 정치적인 목적을 갖고 보는 것을 비난하고 있다.
(영문기사 원문)
French pol questioned on Strauss-Kahn accusations
PARIS (AP) — French investigators questioned a leading presidential hopeful Wednesday about a writer's accusation that Dominique Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her.
As the French probe picks up steam, it has unearthed unexpected claims about the former head of the International Monetary Fund. The writer's mother said in a newspaper interview published Wednesday that she herself once had a consensual sexual encounter with Strauss-Kahn.
Strauss-Kahn is also facing sexual assault charges in New York, where a hotel maid accused him of trying to rape her. Lawyers for the two women met jointly Tuesday with prosecutors in New York. Strauss-Kahn has denied wrongdoing in both cases.
It remained unclear what the prospects were for convergence between the two complaints.
New York prosecutors have asked whether the French writer, Tristane Banon, would be willing to speak to them, but no definite plans have been made, according to a person familiar with the case. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office declined to comment. Banon's attorney, David Koubbi, did not respond to phone messages seeking comment.
In Paris on Wednesday, attention turned to Francois Hollande, former head of France's Socialist Party and a poll favorite for next year's presidential race — in which Strauss-Kahn had been an expected contender before his May arrest.
Investigators are interviewing anyone who was told about the 2003 incident in which Banon says Strauss-Kahn tried to wrench off her clothes and shoved his fingers in her mouth and underwear as she fought him off. She says it happened in an empty apartment during an interview for a book she was writing.
Banon's lawyer says Hollande was one of those informed.
Hollande showed up for questioning Wednesday afternoon at the special police brigade probing the claim and left about an hour later — compared to the six hours Banon's mother spent with investigators and more than five for Banon herself.
"I am completely ready" to be questioned about the "supposed incident," Hollande said in remarks broadcast on French television earlier in the day.
However, he insisted before entering the investigators' office and upon leaving it that "this affair doesn't concern me."
Hollande has warned against any "political manipulation" in the case, clearly fearing it could taint his presidential candidacy.
Banon filed her complaint in France after Strauss-Kahn was arrested in the New York case.
The accusations have cast a pall over the Socialists' presidential campaign, as France's leading opposition party struggles to overcome years of divisions to challenge conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy next year.
Questions about Hollande's knowledge of the incident have further clouded the Socialists. Hollande lashed out at those who are using the investigation "for political ends."
AP통신 http://www.ap.org
