Lawyers for Dominique Strauss-Kahn intend to probe the hotel maid accusing the former IMF chief of attempted rape for evidence of behavioral problems, according to court documents.

In a nine-page request to prosecutors, the defence attorneys list a series of demands for access to evidence collected against Mr Strauss-Kahn, who is awaiting trial on a $6 million bail and bond.

They also seek to have prosecutors barred from accessing e-mails and phone messages sent to cell phones and an iPad confiscated from Mr Strauss-Kahn after his shock detention on an Air France plane about to leave New York for Paris on May 14.

The “demand for discovery” document was filed on Monday with Judge Michael Obus, the same day that Mr Strauss-Kahn pleaded not guilty to seven counts of sex crimes, including attempted rape, against a 32-year-old woman cleaning his suite at the Manhattan Sofitel.

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