The Second Such Escape For One Of The Inmates

It looked a bit like a scene from a movie.  A helicopter hovered over a Greek prison while two inmates climbed onto rope ladders and were pulled out  of the facility. Though guards fired at the aircraft, they escaped apparently unharmed.

But it was very real and the men remain at large.

CNN Europe says state media reports that two men hijacked the helicopter from Athens airport and ordered the pilot to fly to Korydallos Prison, located in a suburb of Athens. Official later found the pilot tied up near the aircraft north of Athens. The escapees are 42-year-old Nikos Paleokostas, and 34-year-old Alket Riza. It is the second time Paleokostas has escaped from prison using a helicopter. The first time, in 2006, he was at large for several months before being recaptured.

The accomplices who hijacked the aircraft are also still at large. "I will not tolerate this embarrassment and all necessary measures will be taken, no matter how stringent they may be," Justice Minister Nikos Dendias told CNN.

FMI: http://www.ministryofjustice.gr