A man sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for theft fled through a window from the Hamburg-Barmbek district court on Thursday.
The 42-year-old Adam B. crossed the courtroom after the verdict was pronounced, tore open a window and then jumped out of the hall on the mezzanine floor, said the Hamburg Justice Senate.
Two prison officers tried unsuccessfully to stop the man.
The fled was reportedly a remand prisoner.
He had been brought before two members of the judiciary for the judgment.
The police started a manhunt for the man.