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A fugitive who went on the run minutes after carrying his brother’s coffin at his funeral remains at large almost six weeks after giving police the slip.
Prisoner Orijol Rukaj, who has links to Albanian organised crime groups, was in custody over major drug charges when he was granted supervised release from Marngoneet Correctional Centre in Lara to attend his brother’s funeral on Anzac Day.
While his brother was being buried, police say, Rukaj “managed to leave the cemetery undetected and has not been seen since”.
Detective Acting Inspector Simon Pengelly from the armed crime squad said about 300 mourners were at the funeral in Keilor East on April 25.
“He was part of the funeral procession carrying the casket. We know there was a dark-coloured Toyota Land Cruiser that turned up at that location, and he left … We believe he was picked up by that Land Cruiser and left, but due to the sheer amount of people we couldn’t see,” Pengelly said.
“Corrections Victoria notified Triple Zero soon after the escape,” he said.
On Thursday police called on the public to help locate the wanted 47-year-old. Detectives from the Viper police taskforce visited 20 homes in Melbourne this week to speak with Rukaj’s associates. Officers believe he is still in Melbourne but that people who may have helped him are currently offshore.
Earlier on Thursday morning, police arrested a man who landed at Melbourne Airport on an Emirates flight from Europe. The man previously visited Rukaj in custody, and spoke to him on the phone before the funeral.
The man was later released without charge, pending further investigations – with a focus on phone calls made to prison, which police say still need to be translated from Albanian. Pengelly said the man was still a person of interest.
“Police believe there would have been some planning,” Pengelly said of the escape.
“That’s probably why the person was arrested this morning … The exact extent of the planning, the fact the Land Cruiser turned up right next to the funeral procession when it was going to the burial, there would have been some planning, yes.”
Rukaj has family ties to Melbourne including children and an ex-wife.
“Anyone found to be harbouring or assisting Rukaj may also face significant penalties,” police said.
He has not been charged with any violent offences and is not considered a threat to the community, but he is due to face court on major drug charges again this month. If found guilty, he would face a significant jail term.
Pengelly said the escape could make it harder for other prisoners to be released on compassionate grounds.
Anyone who believes they have spotted Rukaj is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Corrections Victoria has been contacted for comment.
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