Four Fugitives Nabbed After Daring Yarl’s Wood Detention Centre Escape
Four men who fled Yarl’s Wood detention centre during a riot last April have finally been caught in London, police confirmed.
Mass Breakout at Bedfordshire Centre
On April 28, 2023, 13 detainees exploited chaos during a violent riot at the notorious Bedfordshire centre. They stormed out via the sports hall, smashed through three perimeter fences, and vanished across the country.
All 13 Sentenced, Four Arrested in London
- All 13 men have now been jailed for over 21 years combined.
- Four were recently tracked down and arrested in London.
- Enea Shima, 28, caught in Bromley on May 3.
- Bilbil Bodini, 27, nabbed in Hendon on May 7.
- Luftin Hallaci, 21, handed himself in at Romford police station on May 9.
- Rizah Koka, 29, arrested outside a coffee shop in Colindale on May 4.
During Koka’s arrest, police seized a stash of illegal drugs and cash at a linked location.
Sentences Handed Down
Koka got five years, including an extra six months for escaping custody, handed down at Luton Crown Court in December. Bodini and Hallaci each received eight months, while Shima was sentenced to six months behind bars.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Inwood said: “This was a dangerous and brazen escape attempt by men awaiting deportation. Thousands of hours of work by Bedfordshire officers and law enforcement nationwide went into tracking down those who escaped. Their behaviour was completely unacceptable and a flagrant breach of the law.”
