ISF Thwart Prison Break at Roumieh Jail

The Internal Security Forces thwarted on Sunday a break out by three inmates from Roumieh prison, reported Voice of Lebanon Radio.

The ISF have since cordoned off the area amid strict security measures.

Omar Ballan, a Syrian accused of terrorism, and Mohammed al-Sheikh Othman and Hamza Kweider, two Syrian members of Fatah al-Islam, have been described as very dangerous, reported the National News Agency on Sunday.

The prisoners attempted to escape the jail from the roof, taking advantage of the positive atmosphere that pervaded the compound on the occasion of New Year’s, it added.

Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi praised the security measures that have been taken at Roumieh prison that thwarted the jail break without any gunshots being fired, said NNA.

Investigations are underway to determine the details of the attempted prison break.

Several failed and successful prison breaks have taken place in Roumieh throughout the past few months.

In August, five inmates, including Fatah al-Islam terrorist network members, escaped the prison by scaling down the building's walls with bed sheets before mixing with visiting relatives and walking out of the compound with them.

Two officers and nine guards were arrested after investigations in the break out.