Ex-IMF head stands on sex trial

Dominique Strauss-Kahn played down on Tuesday his alleged role in sex parties with prostitutes, telling a French court he did not know they were being paid and that the frequency of the evenings had been wildly exaggerated.

The 65-year-old former head of the International Monetary Fund is accused of instigating about a dozen parties he knew involved prostitutes between 2008-2011 in the northern French city of Lille, Washington, Brussels and Paris.

"When you read the criminal complaint you get the impression it was this frenetic activity," said Strauss-Kahn, wearing a sober black suit and gray tie.