- Fugitive murderer arrested for allegedly helping
A 45-year-old man from the Germersheim district has been arrested for allegedly assisting the escape of a murderer from Bruchsal in October. The Landau Public Prosecutor's Office announced that the suspected accomplice was presented to a judge at Landau Local Court on Sunday, who issued a warrant for his arrest and he was immediately taken into custody.
According to the statements, the suspect was involved in the escape plan of the then 43-year-old prisoner and is said to have helped him escape from the Bruchsal Prison. The convicted murderer was then on the run for nine months until he was rearrested in Moldova in July following international cooperation. The case kept the public in suspense for months.
Escape during supervised outing at gravel pit
The escaped murderer was serving a life sentence in Bruchsal Prison, with the severity of the crime being determined by the Karlsruhe Regional Court in 2012. He had strangled a 44-year-old man.
The now 44-year-old murderer fled into an adjacent forest area from a gravel pit in Germersheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, during an outing supervised by two prison officials. The Landau Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the now arrested man is said to have picked him up in his car. The murderer's electronic ankle monitor was later found in the Germersheim city area. He had previously met with his wife and children at the gravel pit, which was his eighth escorted outing.
Prison officials had to pay fines
After the incident, the Ministry of Justice admitted that mistakes during the outing may have made the man's escape possible despite being supervised by two prison staff. According to the statements, fines were imposed on the two officials, who continue to serve at Bruchsal Prison.
Investigations by the Landau Public Prosecutor's Office and Criminal Inspectorate are ongoing following the arrest of the suspected accomplice. His electronic devices have been seized and are currently being evaluated.
The Landau Public Prosecutor's Office is also examining the role of the 'The Office of the Prosecutor' in ensuring justice and accountability in this case. The arrest of the suspect has revived discussions about the security measures in place for high-risk prisoners.
