Colombian prison break: Jailed politician escapes down rope before fleeing on motorbike

Aida Merlano jumped out of upper window during dentist appointment

When onlookers in Bogota, Colombia, saw a woman apparently fall from a first-floor window, many rushed to help her to her feet.

But they were inadvertently assisting a prison break involving a corrupt politician, a rope and a motorcyclist posing as a take-away driver.

Aida Merlano, a one-time congresswoman jailed for 15 years for buying votes, made her bid for freedom after she was allowed out of the prison to see a dentist on Tuesday afternoon.

The 43-year-old jumped from the building’s first-floor window and slid down a waiting rope, smashing to the floor as onlookers rushed to her aid.

But she then stood up, climbed aboard a waiting motorbike and sped away.

She has not been seen by authorities since her escape.

Officials have launched an investigation and offered a reward of 50m pesos (£11,650) for information on her whereabouts.

General William Ruiz, former director of the Colombian National Penitentiary and Prison Institute, told local media: “The guard that was with her was in the waiting room.

“The inmate was taken into the doctor’s office, the doctor suggested that the guard stay outside, and when the situation became apparent the guard found the material items that were used in the escape.”

It remains unclear if the dentist was aware of the plot or why Merlano was allowed out of prison for the appointment in the first place, which is usually only allowed under special circumstances.

Mr Ruiz has since been fired from his post, it is reported.

Merlano, who comes from the coastal city of Barranquilla, was sentenced to 15 years in prison last month for buying votes in the 2018 parliamentary election as well as illegal firearms possession.

She had used a QR code system to check those she paid actually voted for her.

Merlano surrendered to authorities last year after an investigation was launched into her election and around 268m pesos (£60,000) in cash and firearms were discovered at her campaign headquarters.