French police have recaptured a cult leader jailed for child abuse after he escaped last week from a prison on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion in a helicopter.

Dozens of police clad in bullet-proof vests raided a building on Wednesday in the Moufia neighbourhood of Saint-Denis, less than two kilometres from the prison where Juliano Verbard and two fellow prisioners escaped in a helicopter hijacked by accomplices on 27 April.

The official announcement of the recapture of Verbard (27) came from Paris where secretary of state for overseas affairs Yves Jego hailed "the remarkable work of the police on the island of Reunion which allowed the recapture of Juliano Verbard."

Five of Verbard's accomplices, including three who hijacked the helicopter, were captured in the raid, which was broadcast live on television.

Verbard, the leader of a cult called the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, was serving a 15-year term for raping and sexually assaulting children.

His escape triggered a manhunt involving more than 1800 police.

Despite similar escapes in France, the prison had not installed barriers to prevent helicopters from approaching the buildings and yard.

AFP

Week in Quotes The ANC has no interest in porn; the JSC is impartial; and the SABC wants public thanks...

The iafrica.com debate Should politicians be entitled to excessive luxury? Ebrahim Moolla takes on Rebekah Kendal...

Quirky & Bizarre Do you need a laugh? Then check out our offbeat stories from around the world...