Prison Break and Crime Trends in Europe

One of two prisoners who escaped from a French prison using bedsheets has been recaptured, while the other remains at large. The escapees, aged 19 and 32, had sawn through the bars of their cell. The incident has highlighted France's prison overcrowding issues and the neglect of normal jails as resources are diverted to high-security prisons for narco criminals and jihadist suspects. The 32-year-old, accused of violence against a partner, was arrested south of Dijon. The 19-year-old, suspected of attempted murder linked to drug trafficking, is still being sought by around 100 police officers. The prison break occurred at the overcrowded Dijon prison, which has 311 inmates for 180 places. The incident follows another prison escape in Rennes and has sparked criticism from prison unions about the government's priorities.

Two French prisoners escaped from the overcrowded Dijon prison by sawing through the bars of their cells and using bedsheets to flee. The escapees, a 19-year-old and a 32-year-old, were being held for attempted murder and threats/violence against a partner, respectively. The incident highlights France's prison overcrowding issue, with Dijon prison holding 311 inmates for 180 places. Staff unions have complained about the neglect of normal jails as resources are devoted to new supermax prisons for drug traffickers and jihadist suspects. The justice minister has announced funding for the Dijon facility, but staff call for more resources and better equipment to prevent future escapes.

The article by Alexander Rodnyansky, a former adviser, argues that Ukraine must reform its governance structure to prevent corruption and concentration of power in the presidential office. The recent Energoatom corruption scandal highlights the need for change. Rodnyansky believes that the current system has become a valuable asset for the Kremlin and that reform is necessary to ensure Ukraine's stability and independence.

A 45-year-old Latvian national, Ainis Balodis, has been arrested in London for his alleged involvement in a plot to kidnap an Albanian crime boss. The plot was orchestrated by a rival organized crime group seeking revenge for a multimillion-pound drug theft. Balodis is one of four men arrested in an international operation led by German police, with the others being arrested in Denmark, France, and Latvia. The suspects are highly trained, with some being former French Foreign Legion soldiers. Europol has linked the operation to the growing 'violence as a service' trend, where former special forces members are hired by organized crime groups. Balodis is fighting extradition to Germany, where he faces charges of conspiracy to kidnap.