Fugitive Prisoner Remains at Large Nearly Six Weeks After Escaping from Brother's Melbourne Funeral
Orijol Rukaj, a 47-year-old prisoner on remand for drug importation, escaped on April 25 during his brother's funeral at Keilor Cemetery in Melbourne's northwest, allegedly picked up by a dark-coloured Toyota LandCruiser. Rukaj has connections to Albanian organised crime groups and was serving time at Marngoneet Correctional Centre when granted supervised release for the funeral. Police believe he remains in the Melbourne area and are appealing to the public for information, warning that anyone assisting him may face significant penalties.
Orijol Rukaj, 47, escaped from his brother's funeral at Keilor Cemetery on Anzac Day (April 25) after helping to carry the casket during the service attended by approximately 300 mourners. Police believe he was picked up by a dark-coloured Toyota LandCruiser and left the cemetery undetected. Rukaj was in custody at Marngoneet Correctional Centre near Geelong on remand for serious drug importation charges and had been granted supervised release to attend the funeral. Detectives from Victoria Police's fugitive squad and VIPER Taskforce have conducted extensive inquiries, visiting 20 Melbourne addresses and releasing CCTV footage. Police arrested a man arriving at Melbourne Airport who had previously visited Rukaj in prison and spoken to him by phone before the escape; the man was released without charge pending further investigation of translated phone calls. Authorities believe Rukaj remains in metropolitan Melbourne and that the escape involved planning, though he is not considered a violent threat to the community.
What different sources said
- Sydney Morning HeraldCenter
Prisoner on the run after fleeing brother’s Melbourne funeral
- ABC AustraliaCenter
Police up ante after prisoner's escape from brother's Melbourne funeral
- Sky NewsCenter
Manhunt for prisoner who escaped from van as police release image
- ABC AustraliaCenter
Former bikie boss arrested in Bali hiding in toilet of private jet
- Sydney Morning HeraldCenter
Manhunt ramps up in Melbourne for escaped prisoner
- London Evening StandardCenter
Prisoner escapes from jail van in south-east London sparking police hunt
Escaped prisoner who fled brother’s funeral believed to be in Melbourne, police say
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