Mohamed Amra, known as “The Fly,” was caught in Romania nearly a year after a deadly prison escape in France that killed two officers.
Four gunmen freed the “dangerous” inmate. They attacked a police convoy, killing officers brutally. “The Fly” then evaded capture, fleeing France.
France assigned over 300 people to find him. They asked Interpol for help and wanted assistance from other countries.
Amra got arrested in Romania on Saturday. Romania’s interior minister announced it. The gangster was arrested in Bucharest. He will appear before a judge there. The minister praised the officers’ work, noting they found him quickly.
France’s interior minister confirmed the arrest and thanked Romania for their cooperation. President Macron called the capture “a success.” The Prime Minister said Amra was arrested “finally.”
Amra is in his early thirties with thirteen prior convictions. He faces murder and attempted murder charges now. Police said he ordered a mafia execution in Marseille in 2022. Sources say he connects to the “Blacks” gang. Before his escape, he was “public enemy number one.”
A source described Amra’s nickname, explaining he is like a fly, annoying and everywhere. He was arrested for many crimes, ranging from robbery to violence. He also enjoys his nickname.
Amra escaped during a police transfer from court to prison. The convoy was ambushed last May. Video showed four armed attackers closing in. A SUV crashed into the police vehicles, trapping the other cars.
The gunmen emerged dressed entirely in black and opened fire on the convoy. They freed Amra and set off an explosion. Two officers died in the attack, and three more officers got injured. Two were in critical condition, and one was fighting for life.
The justice minister said the officers were “slaughtered.” One officer was a married dad-of-two, 52 years old, and the other’s wife was pregnant.
Amra tried to escape earlier by sawing through his cell bars. He got caught and put in solitary confinement. After his escape, he fled across the border despite a large search.