Published: Thursday September 12, 2013 MYT 8:40:00 PM
Updated: Thursday September 12, 2013 MYT 8:41:54 PM
Iranian escapes police lock-up, manhunt launched
PETALING JAYA: Police have launched a manhunt for an Iranian who escaped from the holding cell of the Petaling Jaya courthouse.
Rafat Manesh Gavhei Mahmood, 48, escaped police custody around 10.30am Thursday after attending his hearing at the court.
Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed said Rafat overpowered a policeman before escaping from the lock-up which was also holding a few suspects at the time of the incident.
"The policeman, a Corporal, suffered injuries to his hand and has been given treatment.
"We have also detained him for the moment to facilitate investigations," he said at a press conference at Petaling Jaya police headquarters Thursday.
ACP Arjunaidi said that the incident may have been due to negligence, but stressed a full investigation on the cause of the incident is being carried out.
Rafat was arrested in Subang Jaya on Feb 20 earlier this year for drug-related charges.
"He is 5ft 10in tall and was last seen in regular clothes," said ACP Arjunaidi.
He urged anyone who has information of the fugitive's whereabouts to contact the police immediately.
