Greece puts $1.37 million reward on bank robber who escaped prison on helicopter

ATHENS, GREECE: Greek authorities have put a €1 million ($1.37 million) reward for the capture of a bank robber who escaped from prison on two occasions on a helicopter and has been associated with a terrorist group, officials said Wednesday.

Vassilis Paleokostas, 45, escaped from prison twice on a helicopter, in 2006 and in 2009 after being recaptured in 2008. However, a recent parcel bomb that exploded in Greece's Ministry of Citizens Protection last summer contained his fingerprints, which have prompted authorities to increase their search efforts.

Two days before the bombing, security forces conducted an operation to capture Paleokostas but failed, and during a shootout that broke out during the operation in Boeotia: located in the northern area of Athens: a local police officer was wounded.

The Greek Finance Ministry, as well as their Ministry of Citizens Protection offered the large reward in a statement, after authorities issued Paleokostas' arrest warrant.

(BNO NEWS )