An Albanian inmate in Australia has escaped after being granted permission to attend his brother’s funeral in Melbourne.
Orijol Rukaj has been on the run for six weeks after evading the officers who were escorting him.
Police said the funeral was attended by a large crowd gathered to pay their final respects to Rukaj’s brother.
Rukaj was accompanied by prison staff but never returned to his cell.
The 47-year-old is accused of drug trafficking, and Victoria Police say he has links to the Albanian mafia.
On Tuesday, police questioned Rukaj’s associates and family members at 20 different addresses across Melbourne.
Authorities believe the 47-year-old is still somewhere within the Melbourne metropolitan area.
Police said they have identified several individuals whom they believe helped Rukaj plan his escape, but those people are currently outside the country.
One of those individuals was arrested at Melbourne Airport but has since been released without charge.
