Prison officers investigated over escape in Lipetsk

Investigators have opened a criminal case into negligence by prison officers that allowed a mass breakout in Lipetsk, western Russia

The Investigative Committee of Russia has opened a criminal case into negligence by prison officers that allowed a mass breakout in Lipetsk, western Russia. On 19th October, 12 inmates escaped from a penal colony. Ten were recaptured within hours, but two remain at large.

The breakout occurred at the IK-6 penal colony in Lipetsk Oblast. Ten of the escapees were serving time for murder, and the other two were convicted of robbery. They escaped by cutting through a fence and overpowering a guard.

The Investigative Committee has launched an investigation into the incident. They will also determine whether any prison officers were involved in the breakout.

The head of the Federal Penitentiary Service, Alexander Kalashnikov, has ordered an internal investigation into the breakout. He has also fired the head of the IK-6 penal colony.

The escapees are still at large. The police are conducting a search operation, and they have asked the public for help in locating them.

This is the second mass breakout from a prison in Russia this year. In March, 10 inmates escaped from a prison in the republic of Karelia. They were all recaptured within a few days.