French authorities have announced the arrest of Mohamed Amra, also known as ‘The Fly,’ who escaped from police custody after a violent ambush in May 2024 that resulted in the deaths of two prison officers. His capture concludes a months-long search involving extensive cooperation between European officials.
Capture of Notorious Fugitive ‘The Fly’ After Months on the Run
Capture of Notorious Fugitive ‘The Fly’ After Months on the Run
Mohamed Amra, the escaped convict linked to a deadly prison van ambush, has been apprehended in Romania following an extensive manhunt.
French authorities confirmed on Saturday the capture of Mohamed Amra, a fugitive formerly imprisoned in France, who had been on the run for over nine months after a deadly ambush that left two prison officers dead. Amra, known locally as 'La Mouche' or 'The Fly,' was apprehended in Romania amid an extensive manhunt involving multiple European nations.
The ambush occurred on May 14, 2024, when gunmen armed with military-grade weapons attacked a police van transporting Amra near Rouen in Normandy. The coordinated assault resulted in the deaths of two officers and injuries to three others as the assailants rammed the vehicle and opened fire. Following the attack, the gunmen fled the scene in a getaway car, which was later discovered by police abandoned nearby.
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the collaborative efforts that led to Amra's arrest, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in the pursuit of justice. "This is a formidable success," Macron stated, extending condolences to the families of the fallen officers.
Bruno Retailleau, France's Interior Minister, expressed gratitude to Romanian authorities for their assistance during the search. Prior to the ambush, Amra had been serving time for burglary and had been indicted in connection to a kidnapping incident that resulted in a fatality.
Despite not being classified as a particularly dangerous inmate, the transport of Amra did require a "level three escort," which involved five prison guards. His lawyer described the violent events as “inexcusable” and noted Amra’s prior attempts to escape from prison.
After enduring a relentless search involving over 300 investigators and numerous roadblocks across northwest France, Amra's eventual apprehension marks a significant conclusion to the harrowing case and raises questions regarding prison security protocols in the face of such dangerous offenders.
