Rédoine Faïd: The Impact of France’s Jailbreak King

Rédoine Faïd, France’s notorious armed robber, has been handed an additional 14-year prison sentence after orchestrating a daring jailbreak by helicopter. Faïd, who drew inspiration from French and American gangster films, was caught in 2018 following his dramatic escape from Réau prison in the outskirts of Paris. He was accompanied in court by two brothers, three nephews, and a member of the Corsican underworld, all facing charges related to the jailbreak. This was not Faïd’s first successful prison escape, as in 2013, he used explosives and a gun to break free from Sequedin prison before being recaptured. In July 2018, armed accomplices took control of a helicopter, ordered the pilot to land in Réau jail’s courtyard, and used a disc-grinder to cut through doors to the visiting room, allowing Faïd to escape while receiving a visit from his brother. The entire operation took less than 10 minutes, much to the delight of inmates who cheered as the helicopter took off. After three months on the run, Faïd was eventually apprehended in his hometown of Creil, north of Paris, disguising himself as a woman in a Muslim burqa. The trial provided Faïd, who spent years in solitary confinement, with an opportunity to perform before a jury and romanticize his criminal past. He described his desire for freedom as an addiction, stating, “I am addicted to freedom.” While Faïd presented the escape as a meticulously planned operation involving professionals, the prosecution argued that it was a family affair, claiming Faïd’s ties to organized crime had been severed due to his love for attention. Born to Algerian parents, Faïd committed his first bank robbery in 1990 and became known for targeting armored vans without causing harm to his victims. However, in 2010, a policewoman was tragically killed during a pursuit following a robbery orchestrated by Faïd. Throughout the trial, a subplot emerged involving a possible connection between Faïd and the Corsican mafia. Allegedly, Faïd contacted Jacques Mariani, a convicted underworld boss, with an offer to eliminate rival gang members in exchange for organizing his escape. Both Faïd and Mariani denied the allegations, but a key witness provided testimony behind a screen, fearing for their safety. A technical mishap during the trial accidentally exposed the witness’s face to the spectators’ gallery, creating controversy. Despite the captivating narrative and Faïd’s theatrical performance, prosecutors urged the jury not to be swayed by his charm and to see the escape as a serious crime. The additional prison sentence handed to Faïd highlights the determination of the French justice system to hold him accountable for his dangerous acts.