Court orders release of 22 policemen over Ismailiya prison break

An Egyptian misdemeanour court ordered Saturday the release of 22 policemen over a prison break that took place in the coastal governorate of Ismailiya last October.

The policemen were released pending trial that is scheduled to be held 10 December.

The policemen face charges of “extreme negligence” and being directly responsible for the escape of six inmates from El-Mostakbal Prison, which serves as a temporary detention centre for prisoners who are being tried in nearby courts.

Last October, an exchange of fire ensued inside the prison between the escaping armed inmates, who received arms from a bag delivered during prison visits, according to the prosecution’s investigation, and security forces, killing a nearby resident and injurying five policemen, including a police major who was shot in the head and died from his injuries.

Two of the six inmates who absconded were arrested shortly after the incident, while four are still at large.

Source: Ahram Online