French prison break: violent scenes are a symptom of authorities’ struggle with organised crime

By Joseph Downing, Senior Lecturer in International Relations and Politics, Aston University

A manhunt is underway in France after armed men held up a prison van to break out convicted criminal Mohamed Amra, nicknamed “the fly” (La mouche). They killed two offers and injured several more in the process.

France may not be the first European country that springs to mind when organised crime is mentioned, but Amra’s case, and his audacious escape in broad daylight in front of multiple witnesses, is indicative of the pressures authorities currently face in trying to keep pace with the trade in drugs and arms.

The prison break unfolded near Rouen, in the north of the…

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