ISLAMABAD, April 3: A convicted prisoner facing life sentence escaped from police custody here on Tuesday.

Mohammad Javed, a native of Khushab, had already served 10-year punishment in connection with a murder in Lahore. He was brought to Islamabad for investigation in a fraud case registered with the Industrial Area police in 2001.

Police said four policemen, including a sub-inspector, who guarded the prisoner, were suspended and booked under criminal charges.

Sources said the police team brought the prisoner from Lahore and detained him in the lock-up of the Industrial Area police station. On Tuesday, the police officials took him out to produce him before a court.

However, instead of driving him straight to the court, the police guards took him to his house in the city for a meeting with his family. Later, he was taken to the court from where he disappeared.

A senior police officer said it was unclear under what circumstances the prisoner had escaped. He said the act of the police team was illegal and considered a criminal act which also suggested they helped the prisoner escape.