A 43-year-old prisoner from Poissy prison escaped during a routine appointment at the Moroccan consulate in Pontoise on December 20, 2024. The escape occurred while he was accompanied by prison guards for the purpose of renewing his identity documents. The inmate, who was serving a 15-year sentence for kidnapping followed by homicide, requested to smoke a cigarette outside the consulate before fleeing in a waiting vehicle. This incident has raised concerns regarding security protocols during prisoner transfers, particularly as he was not handcuffed at the time of his escape.
The Versailles prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation into the escape, categorizing it as one involving an organized gang. The case has been transferred to the Versailles Brigade for the Suppression of Banditry, which is working alongside local judicial police to track down the escaped prisoner and any potential accomplices. As of Saturday midday, the fugitive had not yet been apprehended.
