The Ministry of Interior will investigate the case of a prisoner who escaped while being treated at the Kampong Speu Referral Hospital, a ministry official said yesterday.

The ministry’s prisons department spokesman Nuth Savna said the runaway was receiving medical treatment due to a stomach ailment. “Two officers were assigned to escort the prisoner, but during a change in shift, they went to the toilet and forgot to lock his handcuff.

The escapee was identified as Khun Makara, 28, who has been on pre-trial detention for several months following his arrest for consuming drugs.