Prisoner escapes from hospital

A Libyan prison inmate escaped from police custody while undergoing treatment at St Luke's Hospital early yesterday morning.

The police said Murad G.M. Erhuma, 24, escaped by jumping out of a window situated about one-a-half storeys above ground level.

At the time, two policemen were on guard duties with the Libyan.

A manhunt was immediately launched.

Mr Erhuma is 1.86 metres tall. The police are calling on anyone who might have any information about the whereabouts of the prisoner to phone them on 2122 1111. Confidentiality will be observed, the police said.

Earlier this month, Nagib El Hadi Mezoughi, a 30-year-old Libyan who had been charged with importing heroin into Malta by swallowing drug-filled capsules, escaped from hospital while under observation. He was eventually apprehended.