Rapist Released in Error Fled UK on Eurostar Train

A convicted rapist who was mistakenly released from a London prison has fled the country on a Eurostar train, sparking an international manhunt and serious questions about how such a dangerous error could occur.

Bernadin Dedic, 32, walked free from HMP Wormwood Scrubs on March 12 after what authorities are calling a catastrophic administrative failure. Within hours of his release, he’d boarded a Eurostar service at St Pancras International and disappeared into mainland Europe.

Critical Hours Lost

Prison staff didn’t realise their mistake until nearly 24 hours after Dedic had left the facility. By that time, he’d already cleared UK border controls and was believed to be in France or Belgium. Sources say the error occurred during a routine paperwork check, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation.

And that’s not all. CCTV footage shows Dedic travelling alone with a single bag, appearing calm and unhurried as he passed through security checkpoints. Border Force officers had no alert on their systems flagging him as a prisoner who shouldn’t have been released.

Serious Sentence Cut Short

Dedic was serving an eight-year sentence for rape handed down at Southwark Crown Court in 2019. He’d served just four years when the release blunder happened. His victim, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, was informed of the error by police liaison officers three days after he’d fled.

The Ministry of Justice has launched an urgent review into the release procedures at Wormwood Scrubs. A spokesman said: „We take public protection extremely seriously and are investigating how this unacceptable error occurred. We’re working closely with the Metropolitan Police and international partners to locate and return this individual to custody as quickly as possible.”

International Warrant Issued

Police have now issued a European Arrest Warrant for Dedic, who has links to communities in France, Germany and his native Bosnia. Interpol has been notified, and his photograph has been circulated to law enforcement agencies across 27 countries.

But the damage is done. This isn’t the first time prisoners have been released in error from UK jails, though cases involving serious violent or sexual offenders remain rare. In 2022, three inmates walked free by mistake, though all were recaptured within 48 hours.

The Metropolitan Police are urging anyone with information about Dedic’s whereabouts to come forward immediately. He’s described as 6ft 2in tall with dark hair and brown eyes, last seen wearing dark clothing.