IMF head on suicide watch
Published:Wednesday | May 18, 2011 | 10:16 AM
Dominique Strauss Khan, the accused chief of the International Monetary Fund has been put on suicide watch in New York’s notorious Rikers Island prison.
The BBC said as a precaution, guards are required to check on him every 15 to 30 minutes.
The IMF boss is alleged to have sexually assaulted a maid at a New York luxury hotel on Saturday before boarding a plane.
However, he was removed from the flight by police before it could take off.
Strauss Khan who is 62-year-old, had been seen as a favourite in France's 2012 presidential elections.
But he now faces seven charges and could be sentenced to up to 25 years in jail.
In the meantime, there are calls for him to resign from the IMF.
The US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the IMF's executive board should designate an interim head.
Strauss-Kahn has denied the claims.
He is to return to court on Friday.