MBN

NEWS

Day of blockades in French prisons as inmate called 'The Fly' on the run: France prisoner escape

El Chapo's son 'duped alleged cartel boss into flying to US before their arrests'
Published Time: 15.05.2024 - 10:40:43 Modified Time: 15.05.2024 - 10:40:43

Several hundred police officers have been deployed nationwide to find the convict and the gunmen who helped him escape

Several hundred police officers have been deployed nationwide to find the convict and the gunmen who helped him escape.

Wednesday 15 May 2024 08:29, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

A suspected drug boss nicknamed "The Fly" is at the centre of police manhunt after escaping from a prison van in France.

Two prison officers were killed and three others seriously wounded when a convoy transporting prisoner Mohamed Amra from court to jail was ambushed at a motorway tollbooth near Rouen in Normandy by gunmen wearing balaclavas.

Several hundred police officers have been deployed nationwide to find the 30-year-old convict and gunmen. It is unclear how many assailants were involved.

CCTV footage showed a black SUV driving into the front of a white van, with other video showing at least two armed men carrying rifles circling the car in flames on the A154 motorway.

A day of blockades dubbed "dead prisons day" has been announced in jails across France today as prison officer unions respond in anger to Tuesday's attack.

Local media on Wednesday reported demonstrations outside of prisons across the countryincluding in the French capital Paris, Rouen, Nice, Grasse, Draguignan and Amiens.

In Yvelines 130 people blocked a remand centre and set fires to pallets, Le Parisien reported.

Inside, around 15 prison staff went about their everyday jobscompared with the 40 usually onsite.

In addition, the day's prisoner transportations and visits were cancelled, according to the newspaper.

A minute's silence is also planned across the French criminal justice system including prisons and courtrooms.


Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Police sources said Amra was involved in international drug dealing, a suspect in a kidnap and murder case in Marseille, and had ties to the city's powerful "Blacks" gang.

He had recently been sentenced to 18 months for burglary in the suburbs of Evreux, northwest France, reported BFM TV.

The French broadcaster said his nickname was La Moucheor "The Fly" in English.

A prison source told Le Parisien that Amra tried to saw the bars off his cell a few days agowith the convict reportedly put in solitary confinement afterwards.

The publication said he was also re-evaluated as 'Escort 3' risk category, making more guards necessary during transportation.

Read more: Who is 'The Fly'?

Be the first to get

Install the Sky News app for free

Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said two of the injured officers were in a critical condition.

Sky News footer

NEWS