The judge said Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, was a flight risk. He was arrested on May 14 after boarding a plane and accused of trying to rape a hotel maid.

He faces seven charges and could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, who had been seen as a favourite in France's 2012 presidential elections, denies the charges.

His lawyer expressed disappointment at bail being denied, but said his client would be exonerated.

Prosecutors told the court it was not the first time Mr Strauss-Kahn had been involved in such an incident and argued he had been arrested attempting to flee the country.

Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyer Benjamin Brafman contested this, saying the defendant had not tried to flee the scene and was actually rushing for a lunch appointment.

He added that Mr Strauss-Kahn later called the hotel to say he was at the airport and had left a mobile phone in his room.

However Judge Melissa Jackson denied the defence's offer to post US$1 million bail and agree to Mr Strauss-Kahn staying with his daughter in New York until the next hearing on May 20.