DSK held in prostitution probe

Former International Monetary Fund managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn remained in police custody overnight after a day of questioning over allegations he took part in orgies in Paris and Washington which were paid for by firms involved in public contracts.

He also faces charges into his alleged involvement in a prostitution ring that investigators say supplied escorts to sex parties in several countries.

Strauss-Kahn, who until last year was tipped as a frontrunner to replace Nicolas Sarkozy as president of France, was due to face questioning as a witness, but investigators say he is now a suspect in the case.

The 62-year-old former Socialist government minister has in the past admitted to having had an adventurous sex life, but denies any suggestion he knew the women at the parties were paid or that the companies had paid the bill.

Shortly after his arrival at the Genarmerie barracks, prosecutors said Strauss-Kahn would not be free to leave and could see his time spent in custody raised to 96 hours.

Eight well-known local figures have been charged along with Strauss-Kahn for pimping and misuse of company funds - including three executives from a luxury hotel, a leading local lawyer and local deputy police chief, Jean-Christophe Lagarde.

Paying a prostitute is not illegal in France, but profiting from or embezzling company funds to pay for sex can lead to criminal charges.

jw, ccp/pfd (AFP, AP)