Egyptian arrested for assault on hotel maid

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, former head of the IMF (Getty Images).

A businessman from Alexandria, Egypt, has been arrested at a New York hotel on charges that he sexually abused a maid.

Police said 74-year-old Mahmoud Abdel-Salam Omar, was being held in custody after being charged with sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment, forcible touching and harassment at the Pierre hotel in Manhattan.

The alleged attack took place on Sunday when the maid delivered a box of tissues that had been requested by the guest.

Story continues below

The maid claims Omar locked her in the room and forcibly touched and fondled her.

It wasn't clear why the incident wasn't immediately reported to police.

The Pierre said in a statement that the incident had been reported to the police, who were investigating, and that the hotel would comply.

In a similar claim, the former leader of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dominique Strauss-Kahn is also facing  charges for a criminal sex act, attempted rape and unlawful imprisonment of a hotel maid.

There have been calls for maids to have mandatory panic alarms and Sofitel maids in the hotel where the alleged attack by Strauss-Kahn took place have demanded to wear trousers instead fo skirts.