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Prisoner takes jail staff member hostage

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Prisoner takes jail staff member hostage
Photo:DPA

A German prison inmate armed with a knife held a member of staff hostage for much of Friday night before being overpowered by police. The 26-year-old woman he had been threatening was released unharmed.

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The incident occurred at a men's prison in the central town of Suhl in the state of Thuringia. Experts spent the night negotiating with the prisoner, who was demanding to be moved into another prison.

Thuringia’s Justice Minister Holger Poppenhäger visited the scene twice during the night to keep up-to-date with the unfolding events.

In the early hours of this morning, police spokesman Fred Jäger appeared outside the prison and said, “This morning at 2.23 am, special operation forces overpowered the 52-year-old. The hostage was not hurt and is being taken care of.”

The precise demands of the prisoner, as well as how he came into possession of a knife, remain unclear. “The prisoner’s demands seemed very confused. We’re all very relieved and glad that it’s over and that no shots had to be fired and the hostage is uninjured,” Poppenhäger said.

DPA/kkf

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