Overview
- Police arrested the 32-year-old escapee in Bey, about 100 kilometers from Dijon, after officers found him sitting at a café, according to French media.
- The second fugitive, a 19-year-old under investigation for attempted murder and alleged gang links, remains at large and is considered potentially dangerous.
- Prosecutors say the men cut cell window bars and used bed sheets to descend, and that metal saw blades were delivered into the prison by drone.
- Authorities report the prison yard lacked anti-drone netting, and a person was recently convicted for flying saw blades into the facility.
- Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin touted searches that uncovered 70 phones, USB sticks and drugs as he pushes a full mobile-phone ban, while unions cite chronic overcrowding and ignored security warnings.