Moscow, Apr 4 (IANS/RIA Novosti): A convict who fled a prison in Russia on a helicopter bought himself the opportunity with a bribe of 10,000 rubles (around $340), prosecutors said.

Prison officials had illegally removed 35-year-old Alexei Shestakov from a list of convicts likely to try to escape from prison in 2011.

This allowed him to enjoy a relatively lax regime, said prosecutors from Vologda region.

The money went to an unnamed prison official who swayed the commission evaluating convicts for jailbreak potential.

The official now faces up to seven years in prison on graft charges, while the commission members may get three months arrest.

Last month, Shestakov, who was jailed till 2024 for triple murder, staged the first helicopter escape in the history of Russian penal system.

Acting on the promise of a reward of two million rubles, his two accomplices rented a helicopter and forced the pilot at gunpoint to land on the prison's premises, where Shestakov climbed aboard.

He was detained hours after the escape, while his accomplices were held after a few days.