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Mohamed Amra, a French convict infamous for his connections to a drug gang in Marseille, has been arrested in Romania, nearly nine months after he escaped during a violent ambush that resulted in the deaths of two prison officers. The attack occurred in May 2024, when gunmen armed with military-grade weapons targeted a police van carrying Amra at a toll booth near Rouen. The assault not only claimed two lives but also left three other officers wounded. Following the ambush, the attackers fled in a getaway car, which was later abandoned nearby.
French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the arrest as a significant achievement and expressed sympathies for the families of the deceased officers. He acknowledged the collaboration of European authorities in the extensive search for Amra, who was serving time for burglary and was also linked to a kidnapping case involving a fatality.
Amra's escape unfolded just days after he was sentenced to prison, with reports indicating that he had previously attempted to break out by sawing through his cell bars. While prosecutors described him as not particularly dangerous, they noted that transporting him required a significant security detail.
The investigation involved over 300 police officers and roadblocks set up across northwestern France, showcasing the extensive efforts taken to locate him. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou celebrated the successful conclusion of the manhunt, remarking, "After a manhunt lasting several months, Amra has been arrested, finally!" This incident marks a tragic milestone, being the first deaths of French prison guards in duty since 1992.
Mohamed Amra, a French convict infamous for his connections to a drug gang in Marseille, has been arrested in Romania, nearly nine months after he escaped during a violent ambush that resulted in the deaths of two prison officers. The attack occurred in May 2024, when gunmen armed with military-grade weapons targeted a police van carrying Amra at a toll booth near Rouen. The assault not only claimed two lives but also left three other officers wounded. Following the ambush, the attackers fled in a getaway car, which was later abandoned nearby.
French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the arrest as a significant achievement and expressed sympathies for the families of the deceased officers. He acknowledged the collaboration of European authorities in the extensive search for Amra, who was serving time for burglary and was also linked to a kidnapping case involving a fatality.
Amra's escape unfolded just days after he was sentenced to prison, with reports indicating that he had previously attempted to break out by sawing through his cell bars. While prosecutors described him as not particularly dangerous, they noted that transporting him required a significant security detail.
The investigation involved over 300 police officers and roadblocks set up across northwestern France, showcasing the extensive efforts taken to locate him. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou celebrated the successful conclusion of the manhunt, remarking, "After a manhunt lasting several months, Amra has been arrested, finally!" This incident marks a tragic milestone, being the first deaths of French prison guards in duty since 1992.
