Inmates burn down jail, escape
2008-12-20 14:34
Vanuatu - Police in Vanuatu have arrested two politicians after prisoners torched the country's main jail and staged a mass breakout, reports said on Saturday.
The two legislators are accused of harbouring some of the prisoners after 26 escaped when the entire prison complex in the capital Port Vila was set on fire on Friday, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said.
The members of parliament, who were not named, claimed they were trying to negotiate the return of the prisoners, the ABC said.
The inmates had earlier released a statement complaining of widespread mistreatment and abuse at the prison in the South Pacific island nation.
Police said they had managed to recapture most of the escaped prisoners and were negotiating with the others to return to custody.
"We are now directly (talking) with the escaped prisoners through the Vanuatu police force and hopefully they all should be back in prison," Acting Police Commissioner Arthur Caulton told the ABC, without elaborating.
He said Port Vila residents were not worried about the escapees.
"There is no concern at the moment from the community. The town is normal. Everyone is going about their own business," he said.
- SAPA