A Palestinian prisoner who escaped from the the Russian Compound police detention center in Jerusalem was captured Monday morning in East Jerusalem.

Rami al-Khudri, 28, took advantage of the relative freedom of movement he enjoyed as a working prisoner, gardening and doing construction works at the police station, and disappeared from the compound. He was not handcuffed or shackled to allow him to perform the works.

Large police forces launched a manhunt, assisted by a police helicopter, and he was finally caught near the Damascus Gate in the Old City after spending a mere night out of prison.

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Al-Khudri was imprisoned for illegally staying in Israel, breaking into a car and for assuming a false identity.

Jerusalem District Police Commander Maj. Gen. Ilan Franko appointed an inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances of his escape. Conclusions are expected within 48 hours.