‘I Believe I Can Fly’ hitmaker R. Kelly believes he’s been the subject of cruel and unusual punishment during his stint at a Brooklyn detention center.

The embattled singer, who was recently handed a 30-year sentence on sex trafficking and racketeering crimes, claims he was wrongfully put on suicide watch due to his high-profile status.  Claims, which according to Kelly, are unfounded as he “expressly told MDC officials he was not suicidal.”

That’s not all he said. Look inside for more.

Likening his treatment to that of Jeffery Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell (who was also placed on suicide watch last week after being handed a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking), Kelly – through his attorney Jennifer Bonjean – alleges he’s been placed in a single cell with no bed rails, has no toilet paper or access to showers, and other inhumane conditions.  The alleged mistreatment has led him to “severe mental distress,” damages he seeks to remedy via a $100 million lawsuit.

“Simply put, MDC Brooklyn is run like a gulag,” said Bonjean.

The accusations were swiftly responded to by federal authorities.  Filing court papers late Saturday (July 2), the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn says the 55-year-old remains on suicide watch “for his own safety” following a psychological assessment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie Speight used the court filing to double down on the detention center’s concern for the R&B legend’s well-being.

“He is a convicted sex offender who has been sentenced to spend the next three decades in prison. In the immediate future, he faces another federal criminal trial in Chicago for charges related to child pornography,” she said. “[His] current life circumstances undoubtedly bring emotional distress,” she added.

As of time reported, Kelly nor Bonjean have commented on the fed response to their $100M lawsuit.

[source]/[main photo sources:  Getty Images / AP Images]

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