A police dog patrol found the fugitive near the Lauritsala railway station following a tip-off received earlier.
Mika-Martti Zukov was one of two men convicted of killing Kari S. Tikka, a tax professor, in 2006. He is serving an 11-year sentence.
Zukov was being transported from prison to downtown Lappeenranta to take care of some personal business when he escaped. He was able to run out of the prison vehicle when it stopped at a traffic light at around 9:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Local police searched for the fugitive throughout Wednesday assisted by search patrols and a helicopter. Police believe Zukov did not receive any outside assistance in his escape.