Mohamed Amra, the French fugitive known as 'The Fly,' has been extradited to France following a dramatic international manhunt spanning nine months. Romanian authorities arrested Amra near Bucharest on Saturday, where he attempted to evade capture by dyeing his hair red. The Bucharest Court of Appeal swiftly approved his extradition, ending one of Europe's most high-profile criminal chases.
Amra was transferred to French officials at a Bucharest airport under heavy security. 'This operation marks a critical step in delivering justice,' stated an anonymous Romanian Ministry official. Upon arrival in Paris, he faced immediate arraignment for charges including murder, kidnapping, and leading a drug trafficking network linked to Marseille's organized crime syndicates.
The manhunt began in May 2023 after Amra’s deadly prison convoy escape in Normandy. Armed assailants killed two guards and wounded three others during the ambush. At the time, Amra was serving a sentence for burglary and under investigation for a separate homicide case. Interpol issued a Red Notice, while French investigators coordinated with global agencies to track his movements across borders.
'This capture is a formidable success for European law enforcement,'declared French President Emmanuel Macron, praising cross-border collaboration. Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed Amra’s ties to international drug cartels, with 25 suspects detained in connection to his escape.
Key developments include:
- Use of facial recognition to identify Amra despite his disguise
- Rapid extradition approval under EU judicial protocols
- Ongoing investigations into his alleged criminal network
Amra now faces life imprisonment if convicted of the murder charges. His case highlights escalating tensions between European authorities and transnational organized crime groups operating in the region.
