IMF chief on suicide watch at NY jail

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – IMF chief Dominique  Strauss-Kahn was placed on a suicide watch at the New York jail  where he is being held on charges of sexual assault and  attempted rape of a hotel maid, a law enforcement source with  knowledge of the case said on Tuesday.
The precautionary measure was not the result of any attempt  by Strauss-Kahn to harm himself, the source said, speaking on  condition of anonymity.
Strauss-Kahn will be monitored more frequently than normal,  the source said without elaborating.
Prosecutors have accused Strauss-Kahn, 62, of sexually  assaulting the maid, attempting to rape her and then forcing  her to perform oral sex on him.
He was denied bail on Monday and was due to reappear in  court on Friday. His lawyers have denied the charges. He faces  up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
Strauss-Kahn is being held at New York’s Rikers Island  jail, at the West Facility, the smallest of the 10 jails in the  complex.