Accuser to drop case against Strauss-Kahn

PARIS, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- A French writer said she will drop her effort to have former International Monetary Fund head Dominique Strauss-Kahn prosecuted for attempted rape.

The move is a reversal of Tristane Banon's pledge to pursue the matter even if state prosecutors declined to do so, Radio France Internationale reported Wednesday.

Banon, who alleges that Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her in 2003, told a French television channel Wednesday she would not ask an investigating magistrate to open a case. Last week, French prosecutors completed their investigation into Banon's claim and determined it was sexual assault instead of than attempted rape.

Under French law, the statute of limitations for sexual assault is three years, shorter than the statute of limitations for attempted rape.

"Quite clearly, in the letter that the prosecutor sent me, he says that there was a sexual assault, so my status as victim is at least recognized," Banon said. "I remain convinced and I continue to affirm that it was an attempted rape. ... [You] can no longer say that I'm a liar."

Banon said she would lobby for a bill that would lengthen the statute of limitations for sexual assault from three years to 10 years.

A New York hotel maid accused Strauss-Kahn of attempted rape and other sexual assault-related charges, but that case was dismissed after prosecutors questioned the credibility of the accuser.