Liberian escapes Papua jail

JAYAPURA, Papua: Police said on Monday they were searching for a Liberian citizen who had escaped from detention.

The fugitive, identified as David, 29, was being held for his alleged role in a counterfeiting racket.

He escaped on Jan. 24 from his cell in the Jayapura police station, despite being escorted by two police officers.

However, his escape only became known on Friday night after police officers failed to find him in his cell.

Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Totok Kasmiarto said David had been allowed to eat lunch outside the police station since his arrest on Dec. 6, 2003.

"David did not want to eat the food we served up. He wanted to eat outside. So we allowed him to do so. Otherwise, he would have refused to eat and could have got sick. But he was always escorted by officers while eating outside," he said.

Totok said the two police officers were being questioned to find out if they had colluded in the Liberian's escape.

He said David was believed to still be somewhere in Jayapura, and added that police were still holding his passport. -- JP