Convicted criminal holds hostages in Greek prison

Europe March 17, 2013

Convicted criminal holds hostages in Greek prison

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Authorities in Greece say a convicted prisoner in Greece trying to escape for the third time has taken six hostages— both prison officers and prisoners — and demands to be allowed to leave the prison.

The prisoner claims to be heavily armed. A photo shot by a prisoner and obtained by The Associated Press shows Albanian convict Alket Rizaj holding what he claims to be a live grenade besides six handcuffed hostages.

Police special forces have deployed outside the Malandrino prison, in central Greece, while prison officers and a prosecutor try to negotiate with Rizaj. His lawyer is also present. Rizaj, convicted for murders, has escaped twice before, in 2006 and 2009, from Korydallos maximum security prison in Athens, both times by helicopters that picked him and another convict, Vassilis Paleokostas, from the prison's courtyard.

Subjects
Locations
- Greece,
- Athens,
- Western Europe,
- Europe

Related Headlines

Prison escape artist doesn't get free this time
His first two prison escapes in Greece were spectacular and successful, aboard helicopters chartered by accomplices. But when Albanian inmate Alket Rizaj tried to break out ...
Webcam update: Athina goes back to school
The last time we met Athina, she was preparing to plunge into the harsh job market in Athens, where young people face staggering unemployment rates. Her mother wasn't getting ...
Greek former defense minister goes on trial
A former Greek defense minister strongly denied felony charges of money laundering against him Monday, the first day of a corruption trial against him and another 18 ...
Russian boy stabbed while on vacation in Crete
A 12-year-old Russian boy was stabbed nearly two dozen times while on vacation on the island of Crete, allegedly by a Dutchman working as an entertainer at the child's hotel, ...