Belgian Manhunt: Detainee Who Fled Bruges Hospital Still at Large
A 31-year-old Russian detainee who escaped from a hospital in Bruges on Friday remains at large despite an intensive four-day search, Belgian authorities confirmed on Tuesday. Alaouidi Djabrailov has been placed on an international wanted list as the investigation continues into how he managed to flee while under guard.
According to VRT NWS, Djabrailov was brought from Bruges prison to AZ Sint-Jan Hospital on the morning of June 5 for a medical procedure. During a clothing change, he threatened his guards with a sharp object and forced them to hand over the keys to his handcuffs before fleeing the building just before half past nine in the morning.
The Escape and Immediate Response
Police were alerted immediately after the escape. Lien Depoorter, spokesperson for Bruges Police, told VRT NWS that multiple patrols and a special assistance team were dispatched. “But very quickly it became clear the man was outside the building,” she said. A police helicopter and sniffer dog were deployed to search the area.
The hospital was temporarily locked down but later reopened under heightened security. A witness named Bernadette, who was in the waiting room at the time, described the moment she came face-to-face with the escapee. “I was in the waiting room when he suddenly came running out with the handcuffs still attached to his ankle,” she told VRT NWS. “The look in his eyes was unbelievable. He looked like a real villain.”
Criminal Background
Djabrailov was serving a 40-month prison sentence for robbery with violence (diefstal met geweld), with his sentence scheduled to end in March 2028. According to VRT NWS, he had previously attempted to escape from Ghent prison, raising questions about why additional security measures were not in place during his hospital transfer.
At the time of his escape, Djabrailov was wearing a black short, a light-colored polo shirt, and sports shoes. Authorities note that he currently has no beard, unlike in some earlier photographs.
A Test for Belgium’s New Escape Law
This case is one of the first high-profile tests of a significant legal change in Belgium. Since the beginning of 2026, escaping from prison has become a criminal offense following a legislative change approved by the Belgian Parliament on December 19, 2025.
As VRT NWS reported, the new law makes prison escape punishable by six months to three years in prison. Previously, escape itself was not a crime under Belgian law, based on the principle that the “natural human urge for freedom” should not be punished. What was punishable was damaging prison property or using violence against guards during an escape attempt.
Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), who authored the law, stated that the goal was to create “a legal system that can better guarantee safety, sets clear boundaries, and restores justice for victims and society.”
If captured, Djabrailov faces not only the remainder of his original sentence but also additional penalties for the escape itself and for threatening the guards with a weapon.
Ongoing Investigation
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in West Flanders has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and includes examining whether Djabrailov received assistance in his escape. The fact that he remains at large four days after the incident, despite an extensive search involving helicopters and sniffer dogs, suggests he may have had a planned escape route or outside help.
Authorities have urged the public not to approach Djabrailov if spotted, indicating he is considered potentially dangerous. The international warrant suggests authorities believe he may have fled Belgium.
What’s Next
The search for Djabrailov continues across borders. The case has also reignited debate about security protocols during prisoner transfers to medical facilities, a recurring vulnerability in Belgian prison security. With approximately 10 to 20 escape attempts from Belgian prisons each year — many involving hospital transfers — questions are being asked about whether the new escape law will serve as an effective deterrent.