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Manhunt ends as killer convict turns himself in

An “extremely dangerous” convicted murderer who went on the run after escaping while on escorted weekend leave from prison has turned himself in.

This content was published on July 1, 2011
swissinfo.ch and agencies

The 64-year-old handed himself in to police in Rasses in canton Vaud on Friday. The town is about 20km from the spot where he escaped from his minder five days earlier.

Now back in police custody, he will be returned to Gorgier prison in Neuchâtel where he was serving a long sentence for murder, rape and attempted rape.

While on the run, the man is thought to have hidden out in forests. More than 60 police officers had been searching for him on Friday following a sighting early that morning.

Since his escape, Swiss media have widely reported debate on why he was allowed out on escorted leave, especially as psychologists had certified him as a “serious danger”.

On Friday afternoon the cantonal security authorities announced that the prison director and deputy director had been relieved of their duties.

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In compliance with the JTI standards

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