Convicted murderer on the run after daring escape operation
Lebanon, Local, 2/28/1998

A convicted murderer serving a life sentence was still on the run Friday after having escaped from a prison hospital Tuesday, aided by eight gunmen.

Hussein Tleiss, 37, had been sentenced to death for the 1986 assassination in Beirut of Col. Christian Gouttiere, the then military attaché in the French embassy. His sentence was commuted to life in prison after a general amnesty was issued for war crimes.

Tleiss was scheduled to appear before an investigating magistrate Wednesday for interrogation in the failed 1987 assassination attempt against late President Camille Chamoun.

But eight gunmen posing as security agents stormed the hospital prison in Bhannes, where Tleiss had been transferred after reportedly developing asthma, and freed Tleiss Tuesday night.

Tleiss is a devout follower of former Hezbollah chief Sheik Sobhi Tufeili, who is wanted for questioning over clashes between his supporters and security troops in the city of Baalbek earlier this year in which ten people were killed.

Tufeili, who is believed to be hiding in mountains in his hometown of Brital near the Syrian border, is also believed to be involved in the attempted murder of Chamoun.

Prime Minister Rafik Hariri described the incident as "dangerous" and said security forces should spare no effort to capture the escaped convict.

Meanwhile, military prosecutor Riyad Tali was questioning four guards at Bhannes' prison hospital who were arrested shortly after the escape became public.

They were accused of negligence on the job and were being questioned to determine whether they might have played a role in helping the accomplices free Tleiss, judicial sources said.

Previous Stories:
  Hezbollah celebrates victories against Israel - in exhibit   (2/13/1998)
  Security Troops Clash With Tufeili Supporters; Tufeili on the Run   (2/2/1998)
  Government goes back on censorship decision   (1/5/1998)

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