Mohamed Amra, infamous for his ties to a Marseille drug gang, was arrested almost nine months after he escaped during a brutal attack on a police van. The ambush occurred on May 14, 2024, when assailants armed with military weapons targeted the vehicle, resulting in the deaths of two prison officers and injuries to three others.
French President Emmanuel Macron hailed Amra's arrest as "a formidable success," expressing condolences to the families of the fallen officers and thanking European partners and local investigators for their support in the search.
Amra had recently been convicted of burglary and was awaiting transportation along with five prison officers when the ambush occurred. Despite previous attempts to escape, a prosecutor noted that he was not classified as a high-risk inmate.
The capture ended a lengthy manhunt involving over 300 investigators and numerous roadblocks set up throughout north-west France. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou confirmed the news through social media, celebrating the successful culmination of the operation.
