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Five out of six plaintiffs in the aggravated pimping trial of former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn have dropped their accusations against him, the BBC reported.

They have abandoned damages claims because they say they have no proof.

Correspondents say the surprise move at the start of the final week of the trial is a boost for the defence.

Later, the state prosecutor will deliver his summing-up to the judge, ending with a plea for a conviction or an acquittal.

Mr Strauss-Kahn argues that he was unaware that women involved in orgies with him were paid sex workers. For Mr Strauss-Kahn to be found guilty, it has to be proved that he knew the women were prostitutes.

Court officials say that although lawyers for four prostitutes and an association that filed a suit against him are abandoning their pursuit of Mr Strauss-Kahn, some will remain civil parties in the criminal case against his 13 co-defendants.