One of the most famous gangsters in France fled a prison outside Paris. Redoine Faid (46) in a prison in Reau, southeast of Paris, made a spectacular escape Sunday when he was caught in a helicopter.
The country in the courtyard
Several armed men helped Faid escape, confirming the French prison authorities. These should have created a diversion outside the prison entrance while the helicopter landed in the yard.
Prison guards did not shoot at the helicopter for security reasons, says the prison director. Avisa also writes that Faid had a visit to his brother's home when the incident took place.
The Reuters news agency, referring to anonymous sources, writes that the gunmen went to get Faid in the parlor. Nobody should have been hurt, and Faid will be the only prisoner to escape.
Hijacked
The helicopter flew to Gonesse, a town located 16 kilometers from the center of Paris. He was found later burned.
Faid's aides had taken a helicopter instructor, while waiting for a student to be taken hostage. He was forced to send them to prison. The pilot should have been released and be unharmed, according to the BBC.
According to the French television channel BFMTV, the men had a Finnish hood and wore black. The TV channel reports that Faid was driven on a black Renault
According to Le Parisien, the car was found, and according to newspaper reports, Faid and his assistants had to switch to a van
– Everything is made to locate the leak, says a spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior