The maid who has accused former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexually assaulting her in a New York City hotel is speaking out publicly for the first time.
Nafissatou Diallo, who is originally from the West African nation of Guinea, says in an interview with U.S.-based "Newsweek" magazine that she wants the former International Monetary Fund chief to go to jail for his alleged crimes against her at the luxury Sofitel in Manhattan.
Diallo, 32, said Strauss-Kahn looked like a "crazy man" when he allegedly attacked her after she entered his room to clean it on May 14.
Diallo, whose photo appears on the cover of the "Newsweek" issue, has also given an interview to U.S. ABC News television.
Diallo says she decided to discuss the case in public because of questions that have been raised about her credibility. U.S. authorities say Diallo has told a number of lies in order to gain asylum in the United States, and also about what happened following the purported assault by Strauss-Kahn.
Lawyers for Strauss-Kahn have denounced the interviews by Diallo, saying they appear designed to inflame public opinion and to pressure the French economist and politician to agree to a monetary settlement.
The interviews come with Strauss-Kahn next week facing his next court hearing on charges of attempted rape and sexual assault.
Strauss-Kahn, who resigned as IMF head after his arrest, has denied any wrongdoing.
compiled from agency reports