Prison inmate wore a fake explosive belt

(MENAFN- Arab News) Police have referred the inmate who broke into a Madinah prison and threatened to blow himself up to the Investigation and General Prosecution Department. Maj. Abdullah Al-Harbi, spokesman for the Directorate General of Prisons, said: "The inmate had said that he was wearing an explosive belt on his waist. However, it turned out to be fake. The belt only contained a mobile phone, a few cigarette packs and electric wires to give a false impression that he was in possession of explosives." The inmate, who had left prison on a 24-hour family visit, threatened to detonate the "explosive belt" he wore on his waist on his return to the facility, taking 200 inmates hostage in the process. The man also had a gun, which was later found to have no bullets. The spokesman said two prison officers talked him into surrendering to the police. "The convict was serving a five-year sentence for theft and had previous convictions. The investigation will involve individuals related to the case," Al-Harbi said.