Former IMF chief to testify in pimping trial

Former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is due to begin testifying in a French court on charges of pimping, BBC reported Tuesday.

He is accused of helping to procure sex workers for an alleged prostitution ring based at a hotel in Lille.

Strauss-Kahn -- widely known by his initials DSK -- is expected to give evidence for three days, and has not attended the trial since it opened Feb 2, when his appearance attracted widespread international media attention.

On Monday, a former prostitute told the court she had been chosen specifically to be with him at a sex party.

Besides Strauss-Kahn, 13 people are co-accused, including luxury hotel managers, a lawyer, a former police commissioner and a brothel owner nicknamed "Dodo the Pimp".

The one-time potential candidate for the French presidency admits attending orgies but says he did not know the women were prostitutes.

It is the latest sex-related allegation against Strauss-Kahn, who stepped down from the IMF after being accused of attempted rape by a hotel maid in New York in 2011.

The charges were eventually dropped and he reached a settlement with the maid, Nafissatou Diallo.

Two other cases against him, concerning allegations of sexual assault and gang rape, have already been dropped.

If found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

Although using prostitutes is not illegal in France, supplying them or assisting in supplying them is.