Feminist activists threw themselves on Dominique Strauss-Kahn's car in protest Tuesday as the ex-IMF chief, once tipped to become French president, arrived at court to testify over his alleged role in sex parties with prostitutes.

Several topless protesters from the FEMEN group wore slogans painted in black on their chests and torsos as they tried to climb onto the vehicle, before police pulled them away.

Allegations that he participated in a French sex ring emerged after criminal charges that he sexually assaulted a hotel chambermaid maid in New York were dropped in 2011.