A New York court remanded International Monetary Fund Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn in custody on Monday on charges of sexual assault, global media said.
Strauss-Kahn, 62, was arrested at New York's John F Kennedy Internation Airport on board a plane to Paris, just 10 minutes before takeoff. He is charged with attempting to rape a maid at the Sofitel hotel near Manhattan's Times Square.
The IMF chief, who until yesterday was regarded a front-runner in the French presidential elections, denies the charges.
The judge denied the defense's offer to post $1 million bail, saying there was too great a chance Strauss-Kahn would try to leave the United States.
Prosecutors said Strauss-Kahn was arrested trying to flee the country, but his lawyer said he was rushing to an important meeting.
The next hearing is scheduled for Friday.
Strauss-Kahn underwent medical examinations on Sunday and was later charged with a "criminal sexual act, unlawful imprisonment and attempted rape."
The 32-year-old maid told police shortly after the incident that she was attacked by Strauss-Kahn when she entered his room to clean it. She said the IMF chief came out of his bathroom naked, chased her, and sexually assaulted her. She later identified Strauss-Kahn in a lineup.
Strauss-Kahn had already left the hotel when the police arrived, leaving behind his mobile phone and other personal items.
French Government Spokesman Francois Baruan called on his nation on Sunday to respect Strauss-Kahn's plea of innocence.
His wife, French journalist Anne Sinclair, has also protested his innocence.
In 2008 Strauss-Kahn was investigated by the IMF over his relations with a female member of staff. A board ruled that the relations had been consensual.
MOSCOW, May 16 (RIA Novosti)
