By Malu Cursino & Hugh Schofield,In London and Paris
An “unprecedented” manhunt is taking place in northern France for a prisoner who escaped during a deadly ambush.
Mohamed Amra, known as “The Fly”, was being taken back to jail from a court in Normandy on Tuesday when a car rammed his prison van at a toll booth.
Armed men then opened fire on the vehicle, killing two officers and seriously injuring three others.
The shooting marks the country’s first fatal attack on prison staff for more than 30 years.
In a joint statement, the unions demanded urgent measures to improve staff safety – including the “drastic reduction of extraditions” of prisoners to court hearings, by promoting video-conferencing, and an “overhaul” to escort levels.
A minute’s silence will be taking place on Wednesday at 11:00 (09:00 GMT), and there have been demonstrations outside of French prisons, including in Paris according to local media.
French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti has said he would meet with union representatives.
Who is escaped French prisoner Mohamed Amra?
“Men with long guns got out, joined by other armed men who got out of an Audi vehicle, which was likely following the prison vehicle.”
They “fired several times” at the two vehicles, killing and injuring officers, before leaving the scene and taking Amra with them.
The Paris prosecutor said two vehicles believed to have been used by the criminals were found scorched, in different locations, later on Tuesday.
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