Strauss-Kahn has his day in court

New York - Former IMF chief and one-time French presidential hopeful Dominique Strauss-Kahn arrived at the courthouse Tuesday where a judge was expected to dismiss sex assault charges which sparked a sensational scandal.

Wearing a dark blue suit, the 62-year-old French politician arrived at the New York state courthouse in lower Manhattan, accompanied by his wife, French journalist Anne Sinclair, who wore a dark dress.

Yells of demonstrators in the street were audible over the calm in the courtroom on 13th floor.

The packed courtroom awaited a verdict from Judge Michael Obus, who was widely expected to approve the prosecution motion to dismiss all charges, citing a lack of credibility of the accuser, Guinean immigrant Nafissatou Diallo.

The dismissal was expected to end the spectacular and sordid three-month legal saga that has captivated the world and turned French politics on its head.

Outside, some two dozen women protested the prosecutor's decision to seek a dismissal of sexual assault charges.

Carrying placards that read "DSK shame on you and the DA too!" and "Nafissatou, we believe you," the women demonstrated for a second consecutive day.