Mohamed Amra, a fugitive who escaped from a prison van in France, has been apprehended in Bucharest after months of investigation and a manhunt. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that Amra was identified through advanced facial recognition technology and fingerprint analysis, despite having altered his appearance and dyed his hair to evade capture.
Amra’s escape occurred on May 14 when gunmen ambushed the transport vehicle at a toll booth near Rouen, Normandy. The attack was brutal; two prison officers were killed and three others sustained injuries as the van was rammed and shots were fired. The assailants managed to flee the scene in a car that was later discovered abandoned nearby.
At the time of his escape, Amra was being held at a prison in Val-de-Reuil after being convicted of burglary just days earlier. He also faced serious charges in Marseille related to a kidnapping that resulted in a death. Although he was not classified as a high-risk inmate, his transport required a "level three escort," meaning he was accompanied by five prison officers.
French authorities, including President Emmanuel Macron, expressed gratitude to European partners and Romanian officials for their cooperation in the investigation. Macron acknowledged the extensive efforts of French investigators who had been pursuing Amra for an extended period. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau also emphasized the importance of Romania’s assistance in the case.
In the aftermath of the escape, more than 300 investigators were mobilized, and roadblocks were established throughout northwestern France to track down the fugitive. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou celebrated Amra’s arrest as a significant development after a prolonged search, stating, "After a manhunt lasting several months, Amra has been arrested, finally!"
Amra’s lawyer, Hugues Vigier, revealed that the fugitive had attempted to escape prior to the ambush by sawing through the bars of his cell. Vigier condemned the violence of the ambush as "inexcusable" and expressed surprise at Amra’s involvement in such a brutal act.
The incident marked a grim milestone for French law enforcement, as it was the first time since 1992 that prison officers had been killed in the line of duty. The investigation continues as authorities work to understand the full extent of the planning and execution behind Amra’s escape and the subsequent attack on the prison transport.