Wanted by Greek authorities, Alket Rizai disappears after violating prison leave

Greek police have intensified efforts to track down Alket Rizai, who has disappeared without a trace after failing to comply with the deadline of a temporary prison leave.

Konstantia Dimoglidou, a police spokesperson, said the convicted man was expected to return to his cell at 08:00 on Monday, September 14, but he gave no sign of life.

In a statement to public broadcaster ERT, Dimoglidou specified that the search operation had been extended across the entire territory of Greece, beyond the Attica region where Rizai was last seen following an incident at a healthcare facility.

She also pointed out that, so far, the man had been granted a total of 16 leaves by the authorities and had never abused them.

Another development that has further complicated his situation is the suspicion that he may be linked to a shooting incident that occurred in the early hours of Sunday near a venue on Anavyssos beach. The case is now being carefully examined by Greek investigators.

Alket Rizai, 48, has a notorious history with law enforcement, particularly because of two daring helicopter escapes from the notorious Korydallos prison, carried out in 2006 and 2009 together with Vasilis Paleokostas. Now, as he awaits sentencing for serious crimes, he has once again become the subject of a massive manhunt by Greek law enforcement forces.