Lambert Laurette, one of the three prisoners who escaped from Long Island Prison on September 8, gave himself up to the Prisons Authority at Inter Island Quay, on Friday October 3.

Laurette, who had been on the run for over three weeks, was taken to the Central Police Station by officers from the Prison Authority.

Speaking to the press Friday, Police Public Relations Officer Jean Toussaint said that Lambert had apparently told the police he was on Praslin.

"But according to the information the police have, Lambert was not on Praslin," Mr Toussaint said.

Laurette will remain in police custody at the Central Police Station on Mahe, while investigations into his escape and alleged involvement in other unlawful incidents while he was at large proceed.

He is due to appear in court on Monday October 6.

Mr Toussaint also revealed that six persons suspected of aiding escaped prisoners have been arrested, questioned, and the majority of them have now been released.

Mr Toussaint said that although Laurette had given himself up, the joint operation between the military and police would continue to ensure law and order in the country.

The exercise will also enable the security forces to apprehend wanted individuals who are evading justice.  

The two other prisoners who escaped with Laurette – Abdul Rahman Aswad and Antoine Joubert – have since died in separate incidents. The body of Aswad, presumed to have drowned, was found floating in the sea off Cerf Island, which is not very far from Long Island, at around 3 p.m. on September 10 by the Seychelles Coasguard. Joubert died in a shooting incident on September 24 at Anse Louis while trying to run away from security forces searching for him and Laurette.

LINKS