Alexey Shastakov, a prisoner in Russia's Vologda region, was able to escape his prison on board of a hijacked helicopter. He had the help of two accomplices when running away from penal colony #17.

      Two people, a man and a woman, hijacked a Mi-2 helicopter which was planned for private transportation. They climbed on board of the Mi-2 and forced two pilots to fly to prison #17. According to investigators, they were Shastakov's brother and his girlfriend. 

      They hovered above the 17th penal colony and dropped a rope ladder for Shastakov to climb up. It is still unclear how the prisoner managed to escape in front of the colony workers. Preliminary investigation says the accomplices could estimate the hour where there was a shift change among the prison's staff. However, prison guards tried to stop the helicopter by opening fire but failed to prevent the escape.

      When Shestakov climbed on board his associates ordered the pilots to fly to Vologda. When they landed, the three criminals ran away. The pilots were not hurt.

      Shestakov was found and detained later at 2 p.m. He tried to put up armed resistance and received minor injuries from the police. His accomplices are still wanted by the police. 

      Alexey Shastakov, a convinced murderer of several people, was charged in 2000 and sentenced for 24 years, so he has already served a half of his term. 

Sources: ria.ru rg.ru  Image: briansk.ru