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.