Greece: Hostages freed, jail drama ends

ATHENS An Albanian inmate who took six hostages and threatened to cause an explosion in a central Greece prison has surrendered. 36 year-old Alket Rizaj, who is serving a life sentence for murder, on Sunday kidnapped four guards and two prisoners at the Malandrino jail, and demanded to be freed. Greece: Hostages freed, jail drama ends Later the prisoner freed all hostages and surrendered, police sources said, according to AFP. None were injured. Earlier in the day, one hostage managed to escape. One of the inmates took photographs on his cell phone showing Rizaj standing next to his handcuffed hostages. The photos were later "sent to the Albanian state television", according to the BBC. During the rescue operation, police repeatedly used smoke grendes, according to reports. Greek officials have since said that Rizaj, who was armed with explosives, grenades and knives, was asking for a vehicle to leave the prison. The convicted murderer previously twice escaped from the maximum security Korydallos prison, both times by helicopter. Rizaj was arrested and sent back to jail the last time in November 2009. This photo taken by an unnamed prisoner with a cellphone shows hostages being held by Albanian convict Alket Rizaj (Beta/AP) Tanjug

Greece: Hostages freed, jail drama ends

Later the prisoner freed all hostages and surrendered, police sources said, according to AFP.

None were injured. Earlier in the day, one hostage managed to escape.

One of the inmates took photographs on his cell phone showing Rizaj standing next to his handcuffed hostages.

The photos were later "sent to the Albanian state television", according to the BBC.

During the rescue operation, police repeatedly used smoke grendes, according to reports.

Greek officials have since said that Rizaj, who was armed with explosives, grenades and knives, was asking for a vehicle to leave the prison.

The convicted murderer previously twice escaped from the maximum security Korydallos prison, both times by helicopter.

Rizaj was arrested and sent back to jail the last time in November 2009.