Head of IMF on Suicide Watch

Added by David Sandercock on May 19, 2011

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, International Monetary Fund chief whip, is under suicide watch after being arrested for an alleged sex attack, officials say.

 

Law enforcement officials emphasised that all prisoners arriving at the Riker Island Prison in New York receives a mental health assessment to determine whether there is a risk for suicide.

While officials said that Strauss-Kahn had not tried to hurt himself, he said something during the mental health assessment that concerned doctors, resulting in him now being monitored day and night, Norman Seabrook, president of the guards union said.

Strauss-Kahn was arrested on Saturday for the alleged sex attack on a hotel maid, and he was held without bail on Monday. The judge denied bail since the risk of him escaping to France was assumed to be high. France does not have an extradition agreement with the US.

A grand jury will decide whether or not to send Strauss-Kahn to trial on Friday. Should the grand jury decide that there is not enough evidence to hold a trial, he will go free. However, if the jury believes that the argument by the prosecution has a foundation, the court will be presented with an indictment.

Strauss-Kahn has denied charges and will reportedly fight them in court.