OIJ captures 5 linked to jailbreak

The Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) and Costa Rica’s Prosecutor’s Office captured five people linked to the failed May 11 jailbreak at La Reforma prison, in Alajuela, northwest of San José.

Six raids were carried out by the OIJ in Desamparados, Cristo Rey, Sagrada Familia, Guápiles and Aserrí. The detainees include the daughter of prison break leader Johel Araya, and a janitor suspected of delivering keys to the prisoners, the daily La Nacíon reported. Araya died several days after the botched escape due to wounds he suffered being beaten by guards in his cell.

OIJ Director Jorge Rojas also confirmed that 26 guards participated in the beating of inmates that were responsible for the jailbreak. The OIJ has identified the 12 that caused Araya’s death.