Justice minister says two wounded jail guards in vital situation after van ambushed whereas transporting prisoner to fulfill an investigating decide in Rouen.
Armed assailants have killed two French jail officers and severely wounded three others in a brazen assault on a convoy in Normandy throughout which a high-profile inmate escaped, officers have stated.
The van was transporting prisoner Mohamed Amra to Evreux jail after a court docket listening to in Rouen when it was ambushed on Tuesday.
Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti stated he would be a part of a disaster unit to deal with the emergency.
“All means are getting used to search out these criminals. On my directions, a number of hundred law enforcement officials and gendarmes have been mobilised,” Inside Minister Gerald Darmanin posted on X.
“This morning’s assault, which price the lives of jail administration brokers, is a shock for all of us,” French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X.
“The nation stands alongside the households, the injured and their colleagues.”
The assault prompted a big legislation enforcement operation within the northwestern area of France as authorities labored to safe the world and apprehend the assailants. The assault came about on Tuesday morning on the A154 motorway, which has since been closed.
Amra was underneath excessive surveillance and had lately been sentenced for housebreaking. He was additionally underneath investigation for a kidnapping and murder case in Marseille, based on public prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
French media reported that Amra was nicknamed “La Mouche” (The Fly).
Beccuau introduced an investigation into the assault, now thought of a case of organised crime and homicide.
“At this stage, we mourn the dying of two penitentiary brokers on this armed assault, and two are in vital situation,” Beccuau stated in a press release.
The investigation may even handle organised escape makes an attempt, possession of military-grade weapons, and conspiracy to commit crime.
Regulation and order is a significant difficulty in French politics within the run-up to subsequent month’s European elections and the incident prompted fierce reactions from politicians, particularly the far proper.
“It’s actual savagery that hits France each day,” stated Jordan Bardella, the highest candidate for the far-right Nationwide Rally (RN), which is main opinion polls for the elections.
