Disgraced Strauss-Kahn seeks dismissal of pimping charges

DOUAI (AFP) - Lawyers for Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Wednesday asked a French appeal court to dismiss charges that the disgraced former IMF chief helped procure prostitutes for sex parties.

Strauss-Kahn admits attending orgies in France and the United States (US) but claims he did not know the women involved were being paid to take part.

He was not present at Wednesday's closed-door hearing and his lawyers did not speak to reporters before entering the court in the northern town of Douai.

The case, known as the "Carlton affair" in France, centres around allegations that business leaders and police officials in Lille operated a vice ring supplying girls for sex parties, some of which are said to have taken place at the Carlton Hotel in Douaiy.