Dramatic video footage has appeared on Greek news site www.nocomment.gr of convicted murderer and racketeer Panayiotis Vlastos’ failed attempt to escape from by helicopter from Trikala prison on Feb. 24.
The video shows the life-serving prisoner falling around five meters, more than 15 feet, rom a rope ladder courtyard after being shot during gunfire exchange with police. An inmate ran to his assistance and helped him indoors.
Vlastos had apparently been anticipating the arrival of the helicopter in the prison courtyard when the helicopter arrived, sending other inmates running. The video shows him repeatedly trying to reach the descending ladder swinging wildly above his head. There was no report who shot the video.
Under fire, the helicopter was then forced to land in the car park outside the prison walls. The pilot said he was forced to try to get the convict out of the prison yard. Authorities said they had been tipped off about the break-out attempt and that a hot-air balloon might be the method.
Officials said they believe that they thwarted a planned escape attempt in June by Vlastos, who was to undergo a nose operation at Larissa’s main hospital. At the last minute, they transferred the planned surgery to Thessaloniki’s Ippocrateio Hospital to foil his plans.
“The police were certain Vlastos would try to escape,” a Justice Ministry official told the newspaper Kathimerini. Authorities added that they had been informed that the crime boss would try to break out using “an alternative mode of aircraft” such as a hot-air balloon. Prison managers responded to this intelligence by reinforcing the barbed wire surrounding Trikala Prison yard in August.
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