The Portuguese government praised the recapture of five escapees from Vale de Judeus. They had escaped from Vale de Judeus Prison in Alcoentre, Azambuja on September 7, 2024. The last two fugitives were arrested in Spain. Their capture ended a months-long search involving international cooperation. Authorities described the operation as a major success in law enforcement.
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Minister Of Justice Expresses Gratitude On Recapture Of Vale de Judeus Escapees
The Minister of Justice Rita Alarcão Júdice thanked the Judicial Police (PJ) and international partners. She said the successful recapture of Vale de Judeus Escapees showed the strength of Portuguese law enforcement.
She stressed that citizens should trust the police. The minister emphasized that this achievement was due to hard work and dedication of the officers involved.
She said:
It is very gratifying to see that, five months after the escape of five dangerous inmates from Vale de Judeus, they have all been recaptured
She reassured public that law enforcement was doing its job well. Júdice also highlighted the importance of staying vigilant to prevent future incidents.
Júdice also praised international cooperation. Authorities in Spain, Morocco, and Italy helped in the search. She said she never doubted the PJ’s ability to find the escapees. The collaboration between different agencies was crucial in tracking and capturing the fugitives.
Importance Of International Cooperation
Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro also praised the PJ. He said their efforts made Portugal safer. He added that the police were a reason for pride for the Portuguese people. Amaro noted that these coordinated efforts show the strength of international law enforcement ties.
The authorities worked with Spanish, Moroccan, and Italian police. Their efforts showed the value of international law enforcement. These partnerships helped track and arrest criminals across borders. The government aims to further strengthen these partnerships to ensure future security.
How The Escapees Were Caught
The last two fugitives were arrested in Alicante, Spain. They were Rodolfo Lohrman, a 59-year-old Argentine, and Mark Roscaleer, a 35-year-old Briton. Their arrest was a result of careful surveillance and intelligence-sharing among agencies.
The search started immediately after the prison break. Police in Tangier Morocco, caught Fábio Loureiro, a 33-year-old Portuguese man on October 7, 2024. He is now waiting for extradition to Portugal. Authorities say he was attempting to flee to another country when captured.
One month later, police found another fugitive in Portugal. Fernando Ribeiro Ferreira, 61, was hiding in a house in Montalegre. Neighbors reported unusual activity, leading police to his location.
The fourth fugitive, Shergili Farjiani, a 40-year-old Georgian, was arrested in Italy on December 10. This showed how important international police cooperation was. Officials say the fugitive was trying to assume a new identity to avoid detection.
Who Were The Vale de Judeus Escapees?
The five men were serving long sentences. Their crimes included drug trafficking and robbery. They have also done kidnapping and money laundering. Their sentences ranged from seven to 25 years in prison. Some of them had connections to international criminal networks.
Their escape raised concerns about prison security. Officials launched an investigation to understand how they escaped. They promised to improve security in Portuguese prisons. This includes reviewing surveillance footage and security protocols.
Authorities suspect the escapees had outside help. Investigations are ongoing to determine if any prison staff were involved. The findings may lead to further security reforms in correctional facilities.
Public And Government Reactions
The public welcomed the news of the recapture. Many people had feared the escapees might be dangerous. Social media users praised the police for their hard work. Citizens also called for better prison security to prevent future escapes.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro also praised the PJ. He said the operation showed Portugal’s commitment to justice and safety. He assured citizens that the government is taking steps to improve prison security.
Political leaders from different parties also reacted positively. Some criticized the initial security lapse that allowed the escape. They urged authorities to conduct a thorough review of the prison system.
Learning From The Escape
The prison break exposed security weaknesses. Officials now plan to improve surveillance. They also want to share intelligence more effectively. Authorities will impose tighter controls on high-risk inmates. More funding will be allocated to upgrade prison security systems.
The government says it is working to prevent future escapes. It is also strengthening its cooperation with international law enforcement. Training programs for prison staff will also be introduced to enhance security measures.
Security experts suggest additional reforms. These include stricter background checks for prison staff and improved monitoring systems. Technology such as facial recognition and motion sensors could also help prevent future escapes.
The recapture of the escapees was a big success. It showed how Portuguese and international police can work together. The operation proved that law enforcement is committed to justice.
Officials now focus on improving prison security with all five fugitives back in custody. They want to prevent future escapes and keep the public safe. The government is committed to learning from this incident to ensure a stronger and more secure prison system.
