'Convicted terrorists' on run after Indonesia prison riot

12 JUL 2013, 5:38 PM   -   SOURCE: AAP

A huge manhunt is under way on the Indonesian island of Sumatra for about escaped 100 inmates, including six convicted of terrorism offences, after a prison riot.

About 1000 Indonesian police and soldiers are hunting for about 100 inmates, including terror convicts, who escaped from an overcrowded jail after setting the prison ablaze in riots that left five dead.

The inmates began rampaging through the jail in Medan city on Sumatra island on Thursday afternoon, setting fires and hurling bottles at guards in anger over power cuts and water shortages at the facility.

The Tanjung Gusta jail was engulfed in towering flames and scores of firefighters battled through the night to douse them.

About 150 prisoners initially escaped, and police and soldiers were on Friday still desperately hunting for about 100 after recapturing several dozen overnight.

Prisoners are often held in grim, overcrowded jails in Indonesia, and Tanjung Gusta is no exception as it currently holds well over double its official capacity of 1054.

Prisoners were still in control of the jail early on Friday, casually chatting outside their cells while heavily armed security forces formed a cordon round the building, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

They allowed in about two dozen soldiers but did not let police enter, the reporter said.

"We don't like police, they are inhumane, they frequently beat us," one of the prisoners shouted.

Heru Prakoso, North Sumatra province police spokesman, said that prisoners and a government official would hold talks later in the day in a bid to break the standoff.

"Seven inmates will represent the prisoners and will negotiate later today with a senior official of the justice and human rights ministry," he said.

FULL STORY: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1788304/Mass-escape-after-Indone...