Military and police forces have prevented the escape of tens of inmates from Abu Zaabal Prison this morning, according to a security source in Qalioubiya, north of Cairo.
The security source, who spoke to Ahram Online on customary condition of anonymity, said the prisoners had wreaked havoc on the facility as they attempted to break out.
“They set fire to some cells, and tried to take advantage of the guards’ attempts to put out the flames by rushing to breach the walls of the prison,” he said.
“Police and military troops soon contained the situation … 45 inmates tried to run away but were all arrested.”
A large number of convicts escaped jail during the January-25 Revolution, some of whom are still at large.
More escape attempts followed the 18-day revolt, which resulted in the overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak.
Police authorities are believed to have been responsible for a number of the prison breaks, in which prison gates were deliberately thrown open, and the prisoners let out.
The post-Mubarak prisoners’ getaways are widely considered to have been part of the attempt at staging a counter revolution.
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