Greek Prisoners Escape In Helicopter... Again

"Two of Greece's most notorious criminals escaped from Athens' maximum security prison in a helicopter - for the second time in three years, Greek media has reported.

Vassilis Paleokostas and Albanian Alket Rizai escaped on Sunday, just days before they were due to stand trial for a similar escape in 2006.

The pair climbed into a helicopter after a rope ladder was thrown to them in a courtyard of Korydallos prison in the Greek capital.

The aircraft was reportedly later found abandoned by a main road.

"The helicopter was found in the northern Athens suburb of Kapandriti, but there was no trace of the fugitives," an official told the Reuters news agency.

Both men escaped from the same prison three years ago when a hijacked helicopter landed in the jail's central courtyard.

Guards failed to avert the escape after thinking the aircraft's arrival was part of a visit by prison officials.

Palaiokostas, 44, was serving a 25-year sentence for kidnapping and bank robbery and awaiting trial at the time of the escape.

He was re-captured in August in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, when police traced the ransom money."

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Al Jazeera English