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Topless protesters converge on Strauss-Kahn trial before he takes stand on pimping charges

Associated Press
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A Femen activist is led away by police officers Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015 as she protests in front of Lille courthouse in Lille, northern France, where Dominique Strauss-Kahn goes on trial for sex charges in France. The former head of the International Monetary Fund, whose career went down in flames amid accusations of sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York, is facing similarly shocking charges in France: aggravated pimping and involvement in a prostitution ring operating out of luxury hotels. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (The Associated Press)

A Femen activist is held down as another is taken away by police officers during their protest Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015 in front of the Lille courthouse in Lille, northern France, where Dominique Strauss-Kahn goes on trial for sex charges in France. The former head of the International Monetary Fund, whose career went down in flames amid accusations of sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York, is facing similarly shocking charges in France: aggravated pimping and involvement in a prostitution ring operating out of luxury hotels. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler) (The Associated Press)

Dominique Strauss-Kahn arrives at the Lille courthouse in Lille, northern France Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015 to testify in a trial involving orgies and an alleged prostitution ring. The trial is scheduled to last three weeks, with Strauss-Kahn not expected to testify until Feb. 10. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler) (The Associated Press)

Topless protesters swarmed outside the courthouse where Dominique Strauss-Kahn was to testify in a trial involving orgies and an alleged prostitution ring.

Police tackled the protesters from the provocative group Femen as they shouted and climbed onto what appeared to be the arriving car of the former head of the International Monetary Fund. He is taking the stand for the first time in the trial, in which he is accused of taking part in an international prostitution ring set up to provide him with prostitutes for orgies at luxury hotels in France and the U.S.

His presidential chances were ruined over an unrelated sex scandal in New York.

The French economist known widely as DSK faces up to 10 years in prison and a 1.5 million-euro ($1.7 million) fine.