In a significant development, Mohamed Amra, the French fugitive known as "The Fly," has been captured in Romania following an elaborate manhunt that lasted several months. This arrest comes in the wake of a violent ambush in May 2024, where Amra's prison transport was attacked by armed assailants, resulting in the deaths of two prison officers and injuries to three others.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed relief and commended the collaborative efforts that led to the capture, stating it as a "formidable success." He extended his condolences to the families of the fallen officers, acknowledging the devastating impact of the ambush that marked the first incident of its kind resulting in officer fatalities since 1992.
Amra, who had escaped from a police van near Rouen, Normandy, had previously been linked to a major drug trafficking organization in Marseille. His track record includes a conviction for burglary followed by indictment for a kidnapping that led to a fatality. Initially, he was not classified among high-risk prisoners, which led to a lower level of surveillance during his transport, despite police indicating that a significant escort was present.
French authorities, greatly assisted by Romanian cooperation, dedicated over 300 investigators to search for Amra, establishing roadblocks across northern France to thwart his escape. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou announced the breakthrough in a post, celebrating the conclusion of a manhunt that gripped the nation. The capture of Amra signifies a pivotal moment in addressing prison safety and the ongoing battle against organized crime in France.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed relief and commended the collaborative efforts that led to the capture, stating it as a "formidable success." He extended his condolences to the families of the fallen officers, acknowledging the devastating impact of the ambush that marked the first incident of its kind resulting in officer fatalities since 1992.
Amra, who had escaped from a police van near Rouen, Normandy, had previously been linked to a major drug trafficking organization in Marseille. His track record includes a conviction for burglary followed by indictment for a kidnapping that led to a fatality. Initially, he was not classified among high-risk prisoners, which led to a lower level of surveillance during his transport, despite police indicating that a significant escort was present.
French authorities, greatly assisted by Romanian cooperation, dedicated over 300 investigators to search for Amra, establishing roadblocks across northern France to thwart his escape. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou announced the breakthrough in a post, celebrating the conclusion of a manhunt that gripped the nation. The capture of Amra signifies a pivotal moment in addressing prison safety and the ongoing battle against organized crime in France.
