The Ismailia Appeals Court referred 13 defendants accused of escaping from Ismailia Future Prison in October to criminal court, according to state media on Thursday.
The defendants do not only include escapees, but also individuals who assisted with the jail-break.
Six inmates fled the Ismailia Future Prison in October, engaging in an exchange of fire with the police which led to the killing of a civilian and an officer and the injuring of one conscript.
The prosecution accused nine defendants of displaying force against the prison’s police officers, using guns to commit their crime, killing the victims, and attempting to kill other police officers. The other defendants are accused of assisting in committing the previous crimes through providing the defendants with weapons.
In the aftermath of the jail-break, several high-ranking security officials in Ismailia were dismissed or transferred to different positions, including the governorate chief of security and his deputy.
A few days ago, the Ismailia Misdemeanours Court granted the release of 22 police officers pending trial in the case, after they were detained on accusations of neglecting their duty to protect the prison, thus failing to prevent weapons smuggled to the escapees.
