A huge manhunt is under way in France after infamous gangster Redoine Faid escaped from a prison in the Paris region on Sunday using a helicopter. Faid was freed by three heavily armed men with assault rifles around 11.20 am local time (2.50 pm Indian Standard Time), BBC reported. The 56-year-old gangster was serving a 25-year jail sentence for murder at the Sud-Francilien prison in Réau.
The crime took place when Faid’s brother was visiting him. The helicopter carrying the armed men landed at a courtyard, freed him from the visiting room and took off, AP reported. This is the second time Faid has made a daring escape from prison. In 2013, he used explosives hidden in tissue packs to escape another facility.
“It was an extremely well-prepared commando unit that may have used drones to survey the area beforehand,” BBC quoted France’s Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet as saying. She visited the prison in the evening.
The courtyard where the helicopter landed was the only area not protected by anti-aircraft netting. “Inmates do not use it except to leave the prison,” Prison Union representative Martial Delabroye said.
Faid’s accomplices took hostage a flying instructor from a small flying school in Fontenay-Trésigny commune, and ordered him to fly to the prison. Faid deboarded the helicopter and got into a car, which was later found burned out at a shopping centre car park in a Paris suburb.
French prosecutors have opened an investigation into the jailbreak. They questioned Faid’s brother on Sunday afternoon, AP reported.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!