Dominique Strauss-Kahn has gotten his passport back from authorities, two days after a judge dismissed sexual assault charges against the former International Monetary Fund chief.

Strauss-Kahn's lawyers said New York prosecutors returned the document Thursday, freeing the French native to return to France.

The passport had been seized three months ago, when Strauss-Kahn was arrested after a maid alleged he sexually assaulted her when she went to clean his room at a luxury hotel in Manhattan. Strauss-Kahn's lawyers denied the allegation and suggested that any sexual encounter was consensual.

After the dismissal, Strauss-Kahn said the past months have been “a nightmare” for him and his family. In a written statement, he thanked supporters and said he is grateful that the Manhattan district attorney agreed to dismiss the case.

Protesters gathered outside the courthouse Tuesday, criticizing the move to drop the charges.

Before the incident, Strauss-Kahn was a leading contender to challenge French President Nicolas Sarkozy in an election next year. Strauss-Kahn resigned his IMF post after being arrested on the rape allegations, which eroded his support among French voters.