President Emmanuel Macron praised the capture of Mohamed Amra, also known as 'The Fly', following an extensive international manhunt after his escape during a violent ambush on a police vehicle, which resulted in the deaths of two prison officers.
French Escaped Prisoner 'The Fly' Captured After Months on the Run
French Escaped Prisoner 'The Fly' Captured After Months on the Run
Mohamed Amra, linked to a major drug gang, was arrested in Romania after a deadly ambush that killed two prison officers in May 2024.
A French convict, known as Mohamed Amra or 'The Fly', has been arrested in Romania, nearly nine months after escaping a police van following a horrific ambush that took the lives of two prison officers. The incident, which occurred on May 14, 2024, involved armed assailants with military-grade weapons attacking the vehicle as it stopped at a toll booth near Rouen, Normandy. In the chaos, two officers were killed, and three others sustained injuries.
French President Emmanuel Macron described Amra’s capture as "a formidable success," extending his condolences to the families of the deceased officers. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of European authorities and French investigators who searched tirelessly for Amra.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau expressed gratitude towards Romania for its essential assistance in apprehending the fugitive. Amra had been facing serious charges, including kidnapping linked to a fatal incident and had previously been convicted of burglary just days before the incident that led to his escape.
At the time of his capture, the Paris prosecutor's office indicated that Amra was not considered a high-risk inmate, although he was being transported under a "level three escort," which included five prison officers. Reports suggest that he had planned his escape, having attempted to saw through the bars of his cell the weekend prior to the ambush—raising questions about the management and security surrounding his transport.
The incident marked a grim moment in French prison history, being the first deaths of prison officers in the line of duty since 1992. In a show of determination, over 300 investigators were mobilized to locate Amra, establishing roadblocks across north-west France. After a protracted manhunt that captivated the nation, the announcement of Amra's arrest has renewed discussions about prison security protocols and the ongoing fight against organized crime in France.
