Mohamed Amra, the notorious French fugitive known as “The Fly,” was arrested in Romania on February 22, 2025, after evading authorities for several months. Amra had gained international notoriety after a violent prison van attack in May 2024 that led to the deaths of two prison guards and injured three officers. This brazen escape shocked France and sparked widespread political debate about the nation’s control over drug-related crime.
French authorities had launched an extensive manhunt, deploying over 300 investigators and seeking assistance from Interpol through a red notice. Despite their efforts, Amra remained elusive for several months.
“I thank Romania for their swift and decisive cooperation in capturing Mohamed Amra,” French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said, celebrating the arrest on social media. He expressed his gratitude for the international collaboration in apprehending one of France’s most wanted criminals.
Amra, 30, hails from northern France and was known for his involvement in the drug trade. He had a long criminal history dating back to his teenage years, with convictions for violent crimes. At the time of his escape, Amra was facing multiple serious charges, including attempted murder and involvement in a gangland killing in Marseille, a hotspot for drug trafficking.
In May 2024, after his daring escape, Amra was considered “public enemy number one” by the French government. The authorities’ failure to capture him quickly fueled criticism from right-wing politicians, who used the incident to argue that France had lost control over drug-related violence.
After a months-long manhunt, Amra’s arrest brought a sense of relief to French officials. Prime Minister François Bayrou described the capture as a major victory, while President Emmanuel Macron praised it as “a formidable success.”
