Police Hunt Prisoner in Poso Violent Cases

Palu (Antara Bali) - Police are conducting a hunt for Mohammad Basri who fled several days ago from a prison where he is serving 19 years of his prison term for his involvement in several violent cases in Poso in 2004-2006.

Central Sulawesi police command spokesman Adjunct Senior Commissioner Soemarno said here on Thursday a joint team of law enforcers had conducted a sweep on the border between Poso and Parigi Moutong districts.

"The operation has been done since last night to limit Basri's movement," he said.

He said the police were only notified about his escape by the Ampana Penitentiary in Tojo Una-Una district on April 23 while the prisoner had been declared missing since April 19.

Basri received a permit to leave the prison to see his family member who is sick in the Poso district located around 220 kilometers from Tojo Una-Una.

He said the Central Sulawesi police command and the National Police Headquarters kept coordinating to find Basri who is believed to be still in the Poso district.

"We also involved anti-terror unit Densus 88 in the effort," he said. (*/DWA)