In a statement, the Lisbon Territorial Command of the GNR, the police force that carried out the capture, indicates that the arrest of the escapees occurred at 06:40, near the town of Espinheira, Alcoentre, after a tip-off was received at 03:00.

The two men in question, of Portuguese nationality, aged 37 and 44, escaped at 6:20 pm on Monday from the Alcoentre Prison, in the municipality of Azambuja, district of Lisbon.

The two prisoners were convicted of drug trafficking and robbery, with sentences of five years and eight months and four years and nine months.

“The detainees were serving prison sentences in the aforementioned prison, having escaped from it at the end of yesterday [Monday], and were thus captured approximately 12 hours after their escape”, describes the GNR.

This police force adds that “since becoming aware of the suspects’ escape, the police force has carried out a series of discreet investigations to collect and exchange information and use various surveillance mechanisms”.