The head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Khan, has been denied bail on sexual assault charges.
The 62-year-old was arrested on Saturday after boarding a plane about to leave New York for Paris.
He is accused of a criminal sexual act, attempted rape and unlawful imprisonment of a New York hotel maid.
His lawyers sought unsuccessfully for Mr Strauss-Kahn to be released on $US1 million bail and denied the charges against their client.
Defence lawyer Ben Brafman said it was quite likely the IMF chief would be exonerated.
Prosecutors asked that Mr Strauss-Kahn be remanded in custody due to concerns he might flee to France if released.
The judge ordered that he be held until another court appearance on 20 May.
A police spokesman said the 32-year-old chambermaid at the Times Square Sofitel had identified Mr Strauss-Kahn from a police line-up that included five other men.
The IMF chief underwent medical examinations on Sunday, the BBC reports. Police were looking for scratches or any other evidence of his alleged assault.
