Mohamed Amra, a French convict widely known as "The Fly," has been apprehended in Romania nearly nine months after escaping a police transport during a harrowing ambush that claimed the lives of two prison officers. The violent incident occurred on May 14, 2024, when gunmen armed with military-grade weapons attacked the prison vehicle near Rouen, Normandy. The assault also left three officers injured, while the attackers managed to flee the scene.
French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the arrest as a significant triumph, indicating that his thoughts were with the families of those officers who died in the attack. "A formidable success," he exclaimed, acknowledging the tireless efforts of European colleagues and French investigators who pursued Amra relentlessly. The cooperation with Romanian authorities was also praised by France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in law enforcement.
At the time of the ambush, Amra was being transported under a "level three escort," which involved five prison officers, despite not being classified as a high-risk inmate. He had recently been convicted of burglary and was being held in a prison in Val-de-Reuil. Investigations revealed that he had previously attempted to escape by sawing through his cell bars just days before the violent ambush.
The outrageous nature of the attack, claiming the lives of two prison officers, marked a tragic historic moment, being the first such fatalities in the line of duty in France since 1992. In response to the overwhelming public concern, over 300 investigators were deployed, setting up roadblocks across north-west France in a widespread search for Amra.
After a protracted manhunt, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou took to X platform to announce the culmination of the search, exclaiming, "After a manhunt lasting several months, Amra has been arrested, finally!"
