Fourniret prison transfer after escape debacle

11 October 2004

BRUSSELS – Self-confessed serial killer Michel Fourniret is to be transferred to a new location after a series of embarrassing jail breaks at Belgium’s Nivelles prison where he is now held, it was announced on Monday.

Justice Minister Laurette Onkelinx ordered all dangerous criminals, including the 62 year old Frenchman, to be moved out of Nivelles after three prisoners managed to escape from the jail on Sunday.

The security breach follows a similar escape by one of Belgium’s most dangerous criminals, Nordin Benallal, in August.

Onkelinx blamed the latest incident on problems with the prison management and with securing the area behind the jail.

She said there were also difficulties in working with the Nivelles police force.

One of Sunday’s three escapees, Darbi Larcen, was recaptured on Sunday night in Schaerbeek by Nivelles police officers, said the Nivelles public prosecutor on Monday.

Larcen, who is serving a six-year sentence, was transferred to a different jail.

His two accomplices are still on the run and were described as “dangerous” by the public prosecutor.

Police are continuing to search for Tarek Janah, serving a four-year sentence, and Christos Lagakis, condemned to ten years.

The three men copied the escape method used by Benallal this summer when a rope attached to a vehicle was thrown over the prison wall.

The crown prosecutor has called for action and suggested it may be a good idea to stop vehicles from accessing the area behind the prison wall.

An enquiry has been launched internally and externally to determine who is responsible for the security breach.

Subject: Belgian news