Outsiders, academy members to pick Nobel Literature winners

Arnault has since been convicted of rape, and the academy in April found that "unacceptable behavior in the form of unwanted intimacy" had taken place within the ranks of the prestigious institution.

A fierce internal debate over how to face up to the academy's flaws in responding to both sexual and financial crimes allegations divided its 18 members - who are appointed for life - into hostile camps, which has led to accusations of patriarchal leanings among some academy members.

So far, eight members have either left or disassociated themselves from the secretive academy.

Arnault also has been suspected of violating century-old Nobel rules by leaking the names of award winners - allegedly seven times, starting in 1996. It remains unclear to whom the names were leaked and it's not known whether that has been investigated.

AP