He was detained along with seven other inmates who had fled through their cell’s ventilation system.

Palembang Police chief Sr. Comr. Didi Hayamansyah said the breakout had been planned for a week. The escapees destroyed iron bars covering their cell’s ventilation system using a hacksaw.

The tool was allegedly smuggled by the wife of a prisoner named Arif Hidayatullah, who remains at large. His wife Indah has also been detained.

Indah said she had stored the saw inside a bag of food that she gave Arif during a visit. She revealed that police officers had not checked the contents of the bag.

In response to the claim, Didi said seven officers had been questioned so far. They would be sanctioned if proven negligent. The police chief said the prison would also maximize the use of CCTV cameras.

He further said that a special task force would be deployed to hunt down the remaining 22 escapees.

“We continue to search for the fugitives, and we call on their families to report to use if they know of the escapees’ whereabouts,” said Didi. (vny)

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