Minister’s fury as convicts escape again

The Greek government has sacked three Justice Ministry staff after the escape of two robbers from a high-security prison in Athens by helicopter - for the second time in less than three years.

Vassilis Paleokostas, 42, and Alket Rizaj, 34, were picked up by a helicopter that flew over the courtyard of Korydallos prison yesterday, climbing a rope ladder thrown to them by a woman passenger. The pair escaped from the same prison in the same manner only three years ago.