Warder held over prison escape

SEMARANG: A prison warder is being questioned for allegedly helping two prisoners escape from a high security prison on Nusa Kambangan island last month.

Chief of the Central Java justice ministry office Soeroso said Wednesday that the warder had allowed the convicts, Sofjan Hadi, 35, and Antonius Kelana, 33, to work outside the Batu prison without a guard.

Kelana, serving time for drugs, was recaptured at Sodong quay -- about 15 kilometers from the prison -- but Sofyan, jailed for robbery, remains on the run.

Both prisoners were due to complete their sentences by the end of the year, Antara reported.

"They have wasted their chance to get free. They are facing new charges," Soeroso said. (pan)