Strauss-Kahn claims diplomatic immunity

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NEW YORK, March 29 (UPI) -- Lawyers for Dominique Strauss-Kahn urged a New York judge to dismiss a civil lawsuit accusing the Frenchman of sexual assault, citing diplomatic immunity.

Strauss-Kahn, the former director of the International Monetary Fund, has been accused of assaulting New York City hotel housekeeper Nafissatou Diallo, who filed the civil suit last year, CNN reported.

On Wednesday, Amit Mehta, a lawyer for Strauss-Kahn asserted the case "must be dismissed," because as an "executive of a multilateral organization," Strauss-Kahn should have diplomatic immunity.

New York state Supreme Court Justice Douglas McKeon said he would "expeditiously issue a decision" on whether the case could proceed.

Lawyers for Diallo said the diplomatic immunity claim was "baseless," The Guardian reported.

"Immunity is only provided for official actions," argued Douglas Wigdor. "Absolute immunity does not apply to all situations."

Meanwhile, the alleged French police transcript used to charge Strauss-Kahn with pimping in France were released, in which the man calls women "equipment," Radio France Internationale reported.

"Do you want to (can you?) come to a great sexy nightclub in Madrid with me

(and some equipment) on July 4?" Strauss-Kahn text-messaged a businessman friend.

"The word 'equipment' refers to a person of the female sex," Strauss-Kahn allegedly told investigators.