BRUSSELS – Another convicted criminal has launched a successful escape bid, joining a long line of embarrassing jailbreaks over the past few months.

The man escaped from police custody on Friday morning but was recaptured only a few hours later.

He fled from officers when on a visit to the Deux Alice hospital for treatment.

The man’s surgery was delayed and he made his escape bid when officers removed his handcuffs to allow him to go to the toilet.

He was later recovered in Uccle and did not put up any resistance.

The incident follows a decision by Justice Minister Laurette Onkelinx to transfer all dangerous criminals from Nivelles prison after a series of high profile escapes in the past few months.

[Copyright Expatica 2004]

Subject: Belgian news