An attack on a prisoner transport shocks France. Two prison guards were shot and three police officers were injured in the attack near Rouen. The prisoner was able to escape with the attackers. By S. Markert.
Minute of silence in the National Assembly for the victims of the brutal attack on a prison transport. Parliamentary leader Yael Braun-Pivet expresses her condolences, names the three seriously injured police officers and remembers the two killed prison guards. “One leaves behind a wife and two children, the other leaves a woman five months pregnant. The perpetrators of this criminal attack must not go unpunished. I welcome the work of the security forces, their courage and their speed of response.” The National Assembly is always on the side of those who serve the Republic and protect its citizens, said the Speaker of the Parliament.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal also took the floor; he was in the National Assembly for a question time to the government. “This morning the Republic was attacked in the Eure department. Public order was the target, our justice system was shot at.”
Transporter attacked with heavy weapons
What happened? Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti told TV cameras after a crisis team: “Our country is in mourning. This morning a man escaped during a prisoner transport between the criminal court in Evreux and the prison in Rouen.” And his accomplices did not hesitate to shoot at the accompanying staff with heavy weapons, the minister continued. “Everything, I say everything, is being done to find the perpetrators of this shameful crime.”
The Minister of Justice went to prison to meet the colleagues of those killed. The unions want to set an example and block prisons. The highway was closed. A burned-out getaway vehicle was found west of the A13. 350 police and gendarmes have been mobilized and are checking cars and strategic locations. To find Mohamed Amra again. His nickname: “La Mouche”, “The Fly”. He is said to have sawed off the bars of his cell two days ago and was then taken into disciplinary custody.
After the attack, President Macron wrote on X that this was a shock for all of us. And First Lady Brigitte Macron said on television: “To all those who practice this profession, the colleagues, the families – we are completely with you in what you have suffered.”
The fugitive is said to be the head of a drug cartel
JUNALCO – the authority against organized crime – is leading the investigation. She confirms that the escapee was born in March 1994 and was a specially monitored prisoner. Amra was convicted of burglary in Evreux on May 10th. He is being investigated in Marseille for kidnapping and deprivation of liberty resulting in death. He is said to be the head of a drug cartel.
In addition, there are now, among other things, manslaughter, attempted manslaughter with an organized gang, escape and possession of military weapons. There is great political pressure for the authorities to quickly arrest the attackers and the escaped prisoner.
Stefanie Markert, ARD Paris, tagesschau, May 14, 2024 7:09 p.m