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Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Albanian convict Alket Rizaj, right, holding something in his right hand while standing with six hostages, both prison officers and prisoners, at Malandrino prison, in central Greece, on Saturday, March 16. (AP Photo)

Officials say an Albanian inmate who took five people hostage at a Greek prison in an effort to escape has surrendered, ending a 24-hour standoff.

No one was injured on Sunday when Alket Rizaj, a convicted contract killer, gave up.

Officials said his five hostages, all employees at Malandrino prison in central Greece, were released unharmed.

Rizaj is famous for having escaped twice from the maximum-security Korydallos prison in Athens, via helicopters chartered by accomplices, in 2006 and 2009.

He was recaptured both times.