Unveiling 'The Fly': The French Escaped Prisoner in the Ambush
In a shocking turn of events, an ambush on a prison convoy in Normandy, France unfolded, leading to the escape of the infamous prisoner dubbed 'The Fly.' Learn more about this daring escape and the mysterious persona behind 'The Fly.'
A calm region in Normandy, northern France was shaken by a rare act of violence on Tuesday. Gunmen ambushed a prison convoy to free a well-known inmate called "The Fly."
The incident occurred as 30-year-old prisoner Mohamed Amra was being moved from a court hearing in Rouen to a prison in Évreux. This attack has triggered a large-scale search operation.
The prison convoy was attacked on the motorway, leading to the tragic deaths of two prison guards and leaving three others with serious injuries.
Now, let's take a look at what we have learned about the escaped inmate as the search, which includes hundreds of police officers, continues into its second day.
Mohamed Amra, also known as "La Mouche" or "The Fly," has a total of 13 convictions and is considered "very well known" to the French justice system, as stated by Paris state prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
BFMTV, CNN's affiliate in France, has reported that the 30-year-old individual is believed to be a leader in the narcotics trade. However, Amra's lawyer, Hugues Vivier, argues against this claim, stating that there is no evidence to suggest that his client poses a significant threat.
According to Beccuau, the majority of Amra's criminal record is connected to theft cases involving serious offenses. He mentioned that Amra has been in and out of prison since January 2022.
Gunmen wearing balaclavas ambush a prison van to free notorious inmate "The Fly."
Gunmen wearing balaclavas ambush a prison van to free notorious inmate "The Fly."
Reuters
On May 10, Amra was found guilty on the charge of burglary by a court in Évreux, resulting in a prison sentence of 18 months.
Beccuau mentioned that he is also being investigated in Marseille for a kidnapping that resulted in a death.
In his statement last night, Beccuau explained that Amra was classified under security level three, indicating that he was not considered a high-security prisoner. This is why only five officers were assigned to escort him from the court back to prison.
Amra had tried to escape from Évreux prison a couple of days before the ambush. Emmanuel Baudin, a union leader of prison guards, mentioned to BFMTV that Amra had attempted to saw off the bars of his cell. As a result, he was transferred to a disciplinary unit by his colleagues.
Amra's mother, in a radio interview, shared that she was devastated and cried upon learning about the tragic ambush.
“I broke down, I cried. Really I wasn’t well. How can lives be taken like that? It makes me sick … It’s serious,” she told France’s RTL radio network.
French forensic police inspect a vehicle at Incarville toll station, where gunmen ambushed a prison van.
French forensic police inspect a vehicle at Incarville toll station, where gunmen ambushed a prison van.
Christophe Petit Tesson/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Manhunt underway
A massive manhunt has been launched to find Amra and the gunmen who carried out the prison break.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that he has deployed the national gendarmerie and "several hundred" police officers to assist in the manhunt.
French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti informed the press that this incident marks the first time a French prison staff member has lost their life on duty since 1992.
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X that “every effort is being made to find the perpetrators of this crime so that justice can be done in the name of the French people.”
Editor's P/S:
The prison break in Normandy, France, is a shocking and disturbing event. The cold-blooded ambush of the prison convoy has resulted in the tragic deaths of two prison guards and left three others seriously injured. The escaped inmate, Mohamed Amra, has a history of violent crime and is considered a dangerous individual. This incident highlights the need for increased security measures in prisons and the importance of protecting those who serve and protect our communities.
The manhunt for Amra and the gunmen responsible for the ambush is ongoing. The deployment of hundreds of police officers and the involvement of the national gendarmerie indicates the seriousness with which the authorities are treating this case. The French government has pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that they are held accountable for their actions. This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by prison staff and the importance of supporting them in their vital role in maintaining public safety.
