A fatal miscarriage of justice in France: a prisoner convicted of robbery resulting in death was mistakenly released – due to a simple mix-up of names. An international manhunt is now underway.

A serious miscarriage of justice is causing a stir in France: an inmate who was supposed to be serving a ten-year sentence for robbery resulting in death has been released from the prison in Gradignan, near Bordeaux. The reason: a mix-up of names.

Just one letter difference – with fatal consequences

According to the French broadcaster RMC, citing judicial sources, the release was originally intended for another inmate – a man who was under house arrest awaiting deportation. However, an almost identical name led to a serious mistake. According to RMC, the surnames of the two men differed only in the first letter: one began with “R,” the other with “K.”

Instead of releasing the deportation candidate, the judicial officials opened the door to the wrong man: Marouane Khaled (25) – a man who had been sentenced to ten years in prison last year for a fatal drug deal.

The convict remained silent – and left

According to RMC, Khaled knew full well that a mistake had been made when he was taken from his cell. But instead of pointing out the error, he confirmed the identity of the man who was actually supposed to be released. The judicial officials then actually released him.

It was only after Khaled had already disappeared that the mistake was noticed.

International manhunt underway

The French police have now launched an international manhunt. Khaled is wanted on a Europe-wide arrest warrant. According to official reports, he accidentally shot and killed a 34-year-old man during a botched drug deal in Toulouse in 2019. The verdict for “robbery resulting in death” did not become final until 2023.

According to the judicial authorities, the man who was originally supposed to be released has now also been allowed to leave, but through the normal channels.

Investigation launched

French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has ordered an investigation into the incident. The media and the public are already viewing the incident as further evidence of security gaps in French prisons.

How a man with such a serious criminal record was able to escape under the eyes of the authorities – without his identity being checked – remains unclear. The case once again raises the question of how carefully prisons in Europe handle prison records and cases of mistaken identity.