Media reports say Omar Binladin, son of the terrorist and Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, has been deported from France over accusations of glorifying terrorism. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stated that a controversial post made by Omar in 2023 expressed support for terrorism. The French government views his deportation as a national security matter, implementing an administrative ban to prevent his return. However, Omar claims his account was hacked.
Reports indicate that Omar is now residing in Qatar. He had been living in Normandy with his British wife since 2016. He has reportedly appealed against the deportation.
Reuters says Omar has been barred from returning to France, where he lived for years painting landscapes in a Normandy village, after allegedly posting comments on social media deemed to have glorified terrorism.
According to Reuters, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said he had signed an order banning Omar Binladin from France after the judiciary confirmed the legality of a prior deportation order issued on grounds of national security.
Retailleau reportedly gave no details about the timing of the deportation or where Binladin had been sent.
"Mr. Binladin, who has lived in the Orne region for several years as the spouse of a British national, posted comments on his social networks in 2023 that glorified terrorism," Retailleau said on X.
"The administrative ban ensures that Mr. Binladin cannot return to France for any reason whatsoever."
Pascal Martin, who helped Binladin sell his paintings, reportedly described him as a man who opposed Islamist ideology, who earned a living from his artwork and paid his taxes. Binladin was currently in Qatar, Martin said.
"We became friends and I can tell you that nothing that is being said resembles the Omar I know," Martin told Reuters.
Reuters reports that according to local weekly newspaper Le Publicateur Libre, Binladin caught the attention of French authorities over a social media post on the anniversary of his father's birthday, who was killed by U.S. forces in 2011.
