Authorities deny reports of Amarah prison break, say attempted escape was foiled

MAYSAN — Authorities in Maysan on Thursday denied online reports that four inmates escaped during a transfer to Amarah Central Prison, saying the situation was contained within minutes.

According to a statement from the Maysan Police Command, the prison is operated by Iraq’s Ministry of Justice, and the unit responsible for transporting the inmates from Baghdad also belongs to the ministry.

“During their arrival, four inmates attempted to escape,” the statement said. “The attempt was thwarted within minutes thanks to the vigilance of the Tenth Unit of the Federal Police and nearby detachments from the Maysan Police Command.”

The prisoners were immediately recaptured, and legal procedures were carried out before they were returned to custody. No injuries or disruptions were reported.

“We value the strong efforts and high security awareness of the prison protection unit and its effective coordination with the Maysan Police Command in reinforcing safety and stability,” the statement added.