IMF verdict: Strauss-Kahn’t

We’re living in a world where rumour and innuendo, not justice, define the rules for our survival.

We’re living in a world where rumour and innuendo, not justice, define the rules for our survival.

Instead of judges and juries, we have opinion polls to decide a person’s fate. In the case of former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, that’s exactly how the media is playing it out.

When the news broke on May 15 that a maid in New York’s Sofitel hotel had accused the former IMF chief of attempted rape, reactions from all sides were split between downright shock and even doubts of entrapment.

Constant updates on his position — him claiming innocence, his lawyers using consent as an obvious defence tactic — all made the headlines.

Strauss-Kahn was facing numerous charges in connection with the alleged sexual assault of the 32-year-old maid. Throughout all of it, he continued to plead not guilty.

The media was having a field day with this one.


Then on May 21, the skillful economist, who helped launch the euro, was granted bail against $1 million.

A day later, it all came tumbling down when The Telegraph reported Strauss-Kahn was now facing new charges of sexual assault.

How does a man like Strauss-Kahn get hit this hard by a crisis, when usually he’s the one on the other end, pulling entire nations out of catastrophes?

You begin to wonder if these allegations are a result of one man’s blatant abuse of power, or if the financial guru is being set up by a bunch of gold diggers looking to make some easy money through an out-of-court-settlement.

Whatever the case may be, until there is concrete evidence to suggest otherwise, is it really that difficult for people to believe the man may just as well be … innocent?

I’m sure if there is strong enough evidence to prove the charges, then he will most definitely be convicted. However, if the prosecutor is unable to prove, beyond all reasonable doubt, that Strauss-Kahn is guilty, then who’s to say he shouldn’t be freed?

Isn’t that what justice is all about: innocent until proven guilty?
WRITTEN BY: Saarysh Zuberi
An independent filmmaker, currently working as a sub-editor at the National desk of The Express Tribune.

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.