French believe IMF chief is a victim

Asked if was Strauss-Kahn was "the victim of a plot," 57% of respondents said yes, 32% said no and 11% had no opinion, according to the poll by CSA for BFM-TV, RMC radio and the 20 Minutes newspaper.

Among supporters of the Socialist Party, which Strauss-Kahn had previously been expected to lead into next year's presidential election against Nicolas Sarkozy, 70% believed he was the victim of a conspiracy, 23% did not and 7% had no opinion.

The telephone survey was carried out on Monday among 1 007 adults across the country.

Strauss-Kahn was arrested Saturday and formally charged in New York on Monday with seven counts involving sexual assault and attempted rape of a maid in the luxury Times Square Sofitel hotel.

A judge denied him bail and he was remanded to the sprawling Rikers Island prison.

Strauss-Kahn's lawyer says he denies all the charges.