France Expels Osama Bin Laden's Son, Issues Permanent Ban

On Tuesday, October 8, France’s new Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that an “administrative ban from the territory” has been issued against Omar Bin Laden, the son of Osama Bin Laden, the infamous leader of the Islamic terrorist organization Al-Qaeda.

Omar Bin Laden, a Qatari national, had legally entered France on June 1, 2018. Born in Saudi Arabia, where he spent his early years, he also lived in Sudan and Afghanistan before leaving his father at the age of 19. Following years of itinerant living in several Arab countries, he eventually arrived in France and settled in Normandy. He was granted a multi-year residence permit on July 13, 2021, which authorized him to stay in France until at least July 12, 2026. He lived in the Orne region with his British spouse during this time. However, after a controversial social media post commemorating the anniversary of his father’s death on May 2, 2023, Omar was accused of “apology for terrorism” and was issued an Obligation to Leave French Territory (OQTF).

The offending message praised his father’s legacy, referring to him as a martyr and hero whose blood “is the lifeline of our faith until the day of judgment.” This tweet, which led to his indictment, was eventually followed by his release from the charges. However, the French authorities proceeded with his deportation, and Omar Bin Laden left the country voluntarily for Qatar in 2023.

Despite legal appeals by Omar Bin Laden to contest his expulsion, the French Administrative Court recently validated the OQTF. Minister Retailleau’s announcement on Tuesday confirms that Bin Laden’s son is now permanently banned from re-entering France “for any reason whatsoever.” Retailleau’s statement effectively closes the case, with Bin Laden having already relocated to Qatar.

Omar Bin Laden, who worked as a painter in Normandy and occasionally appeared in the media, had been residing in France for several years. His controversial social media post celebrating his father’s violent legacy ultimately sealed his fate in French legal proceedings. His Twitter account, from which the post was made, has since been suspended.