Three suspects in foiled prison break released from custody

Three of nine men suspected of involvement in an attempt to break criminal Benaouf A. out of the prison in Roermond, were released from custody on Thursday. The court in Amsterdam suspended the pre-trail detention of Abdellatif N., Sofyan El H. and Saifedine M., to the astonishment of the Public Prosecutor, NU.nl reports.

The court released the three men, because the punishment that could be imposed on them may be shorter than the time they've already spent on custody, spokespersons for the court and the Public Prosecutor confirmed to the newspaper.

The Prosecution is flabbergasted by the decision. The trio are suspected of playing considerable roles in the preparation for and execution of the attempted prison break in October last year. The Public Prosecutor can not appeal against the decision to release them.

Last week the Prosecutor demanded prison sentences of up to eight years against the nine suspects. The court will rule on November 12th.