French Fugitive ‘The Fly’ Captured in Romania Following Deadly Prison Van Attack

French officials express relief that justice is served after a significant law enforcement effort led to Amra's capture and addressed the losses faced by prison officers.

Mohamed Amra, the French convict dubbed 'The Fly', has been apprehended in Romania nearly nine months after his dramatic escape from a police transport involved in a deadly ambush that left two prison officers dead and three others injured. The ambush occurred on May 14, 2024, near Rouen, Normandy, when gunmen used military-grade weaponry to attack the prison van, killing the two officers on board and injuring others in the assault. Amra's links to an established drug network in Marseille have raised concerns among law enforcement.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the successful capture of Amra as "a formidable success" and extended condolences to the families of the fallen officers. He expressed gratitude to both European partners and French investigators who tirelessly pursued Amra since the ambush. France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau commended Romanian authorities for their "crucial cooperation" in the operation.

Amra's escape came following a series of criminal charges, including a conviction for burglary just days prior to the ambush and previous indictments related to a kidnapping incident resulting in a death. Prosecutor Laura Beccuau noted that Amra was not categorized as a "closely watched inmate", though his transfer required a "level three escort", involving five prison officers.

At the time of the attack, Amra had already made previous attempts to escape, reportedly sawing the bars of his cell the weekend before the ambush. His lawyer Hugues Vigier described the violent turn of events as "inexcusable" and “insane,” expressing disbelief at Amra's actions.

The ambush was notably severe, marking the first fatalities among French prison officers in the line of duty in over three decades. In response to the tragedy, police mobilized an extensive manhunt that saw over 300 investigators deployed, leading to numerous roadblocks across northwestern France. "After a manhunt lasting several months, Amra has been arrested, finally!" Prime Minister Francois Bayrou announced on social media on Saturday.