Search for wanted man still on as police launch internal investigation

An internal police investigation is underway to determine how a man under arrest for alleged rape escaped police custody. The man was being held in custody at the St Julian’s police station when he managed to escape on Monday evening at around 7.30pm.

Police are still looking for Seykou Ballde, 32 of Guinea, who was arrested on Sunday night.

In a statement issued last night, the police said that Ballde escaped from the St Julian's police station while he was assisting the police with its investigations into the alleged rape case.

The police urged the public to come forward with any information on his whereabouts by calling on 21224001 or 119.

He was arrested by two officers of the Rapid Intervention Unit who, while on patrol, heard a 27-year-old woman screaming and shouting. The incident happened at around 3.15am in Paceville.

Ballde was expected to be arraigned in court today.

This is not the first time that suspects managed to escape from the St Julian’s police station.