Only in the Nordic countries you can expect something like this: convict serving a prison sentence decided he didn't quite feel like coming back while on vacation (!) from the prison. This episode was recently reported in a Finnish newspaper.
This convict in question happened to be just a murderer who had hacked his business associate to pieces. Furthermore, he had tried to escape already a couple of years ago while visiting the city to apply for university.
Police announced that this is not such a big thing as the prisoner had already served 6 years (out of which they had subtracted the time he went AWOL the previous time). Also they mentioned that there is no need for any public concern as this particular criminal is hardly the most dangerous villain out there right now.
All this sounds quite otherworldly after living in a society which has one of the most draconian legislative system in the world and reportedly inhumane conditions for inmates serving time.
Apparently the story is not yet done: The fugitive is still on the loose. Luckily today the officials informed that in Finland it is actually not a crime not to show up after taking a vacation from prison. If he had _escaped_ from prison, then police would be naturally searching for him actively. Now he is just considered to be extending his vacation without approval.
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