Palestinians nabbed after fleeing Border Police custody

Police spokesman: Men suspected of criminal offenses, not of terrorism-related activities.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
youth arrest 298.88 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
youth arrest 298.88
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
The Border Police launched an inquiry on Monday to find out how two handcuffed Palestinians managed to escape custody from a large base in southern Israel on Sunday evening. The IDF recaptured the two men as they tried to enter the West Bank near Hebron, and they were transferred back to the Border Police's southern Israel headquarters near Beit Jibreel. "The suspects were in a vehicle Ashdod when they were pulled over and arrested by the Border Police, for illegally entering Israel," a Border Police spokesman said. "They are suspected of criminal offenses and illegally staying in Israel, but not for terrorism-related activities," he added. "After being taken to our base in Beit Jibreel, they were interrogated. The suspects exploited a certain moment to escape. We have launched in investigation to see how they could flee," the spokesman said. The Border Police was aided by Israel Police as a helicopter was scrambled to assist large police forces on the ground in the search for the men. Large numbers of road-blocks went up around the area, until the two men were recaptured early on Monday morning.