Here's what ex-IMF chief will go through in stint under house arrest
New York, May 22 (ANI): A New York court's order to keep former International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dominique Strauss-Kahn under 'house arrest' might have come as a relief to him, but he will under strict confinement and would be bound by an electronic bracelet around his ankle. The Christian Science Monitor quoted former US Attorney Stan Twardy as saying that Strauss-Kahn would be kept under strict confinement to make sure that he does not escape the trial. He also said that the former MIF chief would only be allowed to leave the apartment for religious services, medical purposes, and court appearances. Besides, he will have an armed guard in his apartment at all times, and will wear an electronic bracelet around his ankle. Strauss-Kahn began his "house arrest" on May 20 at his own expense in his Manhattan apartment after spending six nights at Rikers Island over charges of sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York. "He is a prisoner in his home - but that is far preferable than being a guest of the state of New York," the Monitor quoted Robert Mintz, a former US Attorney, now a partner at McCarter and English in Newark, New Jersey, as saying. Assistant District Attorney John McConnell said the house arrest would cost Strauss-Kahn about 200,000 dollars per month. Former prosecutors are of the opinion that house arrest is normally an option for white-collar criminals who are not considered a threat to other people, unlike Strauss-Kahn because he is accused of violent crimes. Some white-collar criminals recently sentenced to home confinement include Bernard Madoff for his role in the Ponzi scheme, business magnate Martha Stewart, and Raj Rajaratnam, one of the founders of the Galleon hedge fund. Strauss-Kahn has been charged with a criminal sex act and attempted rape over the alleged sexual assault of a hotel maid, after being arrested and removed from a plane on the tarmac of John F. Kennedy Airport. However, the accused has denied attacking and attempting to rape the hotel maid, and blamed Russia for plotting to stop him from running for French president. (ANI)
