Ten Arrests in Connection with the Evasion of Mohamed Amra
Ten individuals close to Mohamed Amra have been apprehended under suspicion of aiding in the preparation, execution, and subsequent escape of the multi-recidivist inmate, as announced by Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau on Sunday, February 23rd.
The arrests took place "during the night of Saturday and Sunday," according to Beccuau’s communique, without providing further details. "They are suspected of participating in the preparation, carrying out the escape, and facilitating the fugitive’s concealment," she stated.
Mohamed Amra, arrested in Bucharest after nine months on the run, was presented to Romanian judicial authorities on Sunday, who will "rule on his extradition to French custody."
Romanian police, alerted by French investigators of Amra’s departure, "identified" and arrested him "around 3:00 pm near a shopping center" in Bucharest on Saturday. He was subsequently transferred to the police in charge of organized crime.
"Despite the change in his hair color, his identification was confirmed by facial recognition and fingerprint comparison," the French prosecutor confirmed.
Laure Beccuau praised the "cross-disciplinary efforts and convergence of expertise among investigators and magistrates" who "were the driving forces behind this operation" during the investigation led by the National Jurisdiction for the Fight against Organized Crime (Junalco) in Paris.
"This investigation is an illustration (…) of the absolute necessity for rapid and effective international cooperation," she emphasized, also expressing her sympathies to the victims and their families.
The escape of Mohamed Amra, nicknamed "La Mouche" (The Fly), shocked France and its judicial and prison authorities. On May 14, 2024, he was liberated by a commando during a violent attack on a prison van involving a stolen car and assault rifles. Two guards were killed and three others injured at the Incarville tollbooth (Eure).
The fugitive and his accomplices were pursued in France by over 300 investigators. The manhunt also extended beyond French borders: Interpol issued an international arrest warrant for Mohamed Amra at the request of France.
At the time of his escape, Amra was detained for burglary and criminal association, and was also indicted in Marseille for kidnapping and false imprisonment with intent to kill.
Background on Mohamed Amra
Mohamed Amra, a notorious criminal with a long history of offenses, escaped from a prison transfer van near Paris in May 2024. His escape, which involved a commando attack using high-powered weapons and explosives, sent shockwaves through France and raised serious questions about the security of its prison system.
Amra is a career criminal with a lengthy rap sheet that includes multiple convictions for armed robbery and drug trafficking. He is also suspected of involvement in more serious crimes, including murder and kidnapping.
Prior to his escape, Amra was serving a multi-year sentence for burglary and criminal association. He was also under investigation for a separate kidnapping case in Marseille that resulted in the victim’s death.
The Escape
On May 14, 2024, Amra was being transferred from one prison to another when the van he was in was attacked by a commando of masked men. The attackers used high-powered weapons and explosives to disable the van and free Amra.
In the ensuing chaos, two prison guards were killed and several others were injured. Amra and his accomplices then fled the scene in a getaway car that was later found abandoned.
The Investigation
Following Amra’s escape, a massive manhunt was launched involving hundreds of police officers and investigators from multiple agencies. French authorities also issued an international arrest warrant for Amra through Interpol.
The investigation into the escape has been complex and time-consuming, and has involved numerous witness interviews, forensic analysis, and international cooperation.
The Arrest
On February 23, 2025, Romanian police arrested Amra in Bucharest after receiving intelligence from French authorities. He was taken into custody without incident and is expected to be extradited to France to face charges related to his escape and previous crimes.
Conclusion
The arrest of Mohamed Amra is a significant victory for French law enforcement and sends a clear message that criminals cannot escape justice, even after committing brazen and violent acts. The investigation into the escape is ongoing, and further arrests are possible as authorities continue to unravel the network of accomplices who helped Amra to evade capture for so long.
