The man, already found guilty of serious offenses, left the village colony in Markovo, located in the Irkutsk region, eight hours before the scheduled release. A report tracing his actions was published by an outlet connected to Shot, which documented the unusual timing of his departure.
Kamolzhon Kalonov, aged 49, was serving a 20-year term in a high-security facility when he escaped at four in the morning on the day his release was due. Reports indicate that he anticipated a release in the evening, yet, for reasons that have not been clarified, he chose to slip away without the formal authorization normally required for discharge from the colony.
Kalonov’s criminal record includes multiple convictions: initially a five-year sentence for illegal adoption and organizing a criminal group, followed by a 2003 conviction for robbery, theft, and extortion of weapons and ammunition. He had spent two decades behind bars, with the release process typically involving parole supervision and assignment to forced labor as part of post-sentence arrangements.
Information about the fugitive was disseminated across the region, reaching the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Zima, the city from which he originated. Authorities were alerted to track his movements and assess the security gaps that allowed the early departure to occur, emphasizing the ongoing need for tight monitoring of inmates nearing release and for rapid coordination among regional law enforcement agencies.
The case underscores the broader challenges faced by penal systems in preventing unauthorized exits and ensuring proper handoffs to post-release supervision. While Kalonov had already served a lengthy sentence, the escape raises questions about risk assessment, parole procedures, and the mechanisms in place to deter attempts to abandon custody ahead of schedule. The investigation continues as officials seek to determine whether external help or internal lapses contributed to the incident, and to determine any additional steps needed to safeguard other inmates nearing release in the region.
In a broader context, this incident illustrates how prison security, parole policy, and regional alert networks intersect to manage the release process. It also highlights the potential consequences for communities if a fugitive remains at large after an escape, prompting renewed scrutiny of transfer protocols, surveillance measures, and cross-border information sharing as part of ongoing public safety efforts.