The arrest took place in Romania, following a devastating incident that resulted in the deaths of two prison officers and injuries to three others.
Arrest of Notorious French Escapee: The Fly Captured After Deadly Ambush
Arrest of Notorious French Escapee: The Fly Captured After Deadly Ambush
French authorities announce the capture of escapee Mohamed Amra, also known as 'The Fly,' nine months after a violent prison van ambush.
In a significant turn of events, French convict Mohamed Amra, infamous for his daring escape and association with organized crime, has been arrested in Romania. Known as 'La Mouche' or 'The Fly,' Amra was on the run for nine months after a police van carrying him was ambushed on May 14, 2024, in Normandy. The assault, executed by gunmen armed with military-grade weapons, left two prison officers dead and three others injured.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed relief over Amra's capture, describing it as "a formidable success" and extending condolences to the families of the fallen officers. Macron acknowledged the vital cooperation from Romanian authorities and praised the tireless efforts of French investigators who had worked on the case for months.
The ambush occurred when the transport vehicle was attacked at a toll booth, with gunmen ramming the van and opening fire. Following the incident, the attackers escaped; however, the police recovered their abandoned vehicle soon after. Amra, who had been convicted of burglary just days before the incident, was also facing charges in Marseille for involvement in a kidnapping that resulted in a fatality.
At the time, authorities noted that Amra was not classified as a dangerous inmate, which raised questions about the safety measures employed during his transport. Despite being under a "level three escort," which requires five prison officers, this lapse has since drawn criticism from various quarters.
His attorney had described Amra's attempt to escape using improvised tools just prior to the ambush as a shocking prelude to the violence that ensued. In September, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou shared the news of Amra's capture, heralding the end of a significant manhunt that had mobilized over 300 investigators across the region. The ambush marked a grim milestone as it was the first time in over three decades that French prison officers were killed while on duty.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed relief over Amra's capture, describing it as "a formidable success" and extending condolences to the families of the fallen officers. Macron acknowledged the vital cooperation from Romanian authorities and praised the tireless efforts of French investigators who had worked on the case for months.
The ambush occurred when the transport vehicle was attacked at a toll booth, with gunmen ramming the van and opening fire. Following the incident, the attackers escaped; however, the police recovered their abandoned vehicle soon after. Amra, who had been convicted of burglary just days before the incident, was also facing charges in Marseille for involvement in a kidnapping that resulted in a fatality.
At the time, authorities noted that Amra was not classified as a dangerous inmate, which raised questions about the safety measures employed during his transport. Despite being under a "level three escort," which requires five prison officers, this lapse has since drawn criticism from various quarters.
His attorney had described Amra's attempt to escape using improvised tools just prior to the ambush as a shocking prelude to the violence that ensued. In September, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou shared the news of Amra's capture, heralding the end of a significant manhunt that had mobilized over 300 investigators across the region. The ambush marked a grim milestone as it was the first time in over three decades that French prison officers were killed while on duty.
