“As a result, the prefect of Orne took an OQTF”, an obligation to leave French territory, and “obtained the departure” of Omar Bin Laden, he added in his tweet. According to the Orne prefecture, Osama Bin Laden’s son had left France “voluntarily” in October 2023 when the decision was notified to him.
Comments relating to the apology of terrorism on Twitter
Founder of the jihadist organization Al-Qaeda and mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, Osama Bin Laden was killed in May 2011 in Pakistan by American special forces. It was on the occasion of the anniversary of the death of Osama Bin Laden, in May 2023, that comments glorifying terrorism and glorifying Al-Qaeda were published on a Twitter account (now X) in the name of Omar Bin Laden, an account now suspended. The prefect of Orne then made a report to the Argentan public prosecutor’s office, the prefecture said in a press release.
“He had a difficult life, he was the first victim of terrorism. Being the son of Osama bin Laden was a hardship for him. »
If Omar Bin Laden, 43, “denied being the author of the reprehensible comments on his social networks, which the current criminal investigation aims to clarify, it is nonetheless established that these illicit contents were indeed were welcomed” on his social networks and that he did not withdraw or condemn them, according to the prefecture. “In view of the risks to public order and national security”, the prefect also withdrew Omar Bin Laden’s residence permit and issued him with an OQTF with a two-year return ban (the legal maximum). This decision was notified on October 27, 2023 to the person concerned, who had filed an appeal. The Caen administrative court confirmed the validity of the decision on October 4, specifies the prefecture.
A “fragile”, “psychologically ill” man
Born in Saudi Arabia where he spent his early years, Omar Bin Laden also lived in Sudan and then in Afghanistan. After leaving his father at the age of 19, he lived a life of roaming in several Arab countries until his arrival in France and settling in the village of Domfront-en-Poiraie, where he devoted himself especially in painting. According to Pascal Martin, 64, close to Omar Bin Laden and who presents himself as his artistic agent, the latter, “psychologically ill”, had not been informed this Tuesday of this ban from the territory.
“He lives in Qatar and we decided with his wife not to inform him. He is too fragile, if he finds out it will hurt him a lot,” assured his friend. “This decision is completely crazy, inconceivable […] He had a difficult life, he was the first victim of terrorism. Being the son of Osama bin Laden was a test for him,” said Pascal Martin.
“In none of his comments have I heard him advocate terrorism. He is incapable of promoting September 11, he says that his life stopped that day,” insists Omar Bin Laden’s agent. “It’s scandalous,” says Harry Atterton, an 87-year-old Briton and also a friend of Omar Bin Laden. “He has managed to separate himself from all of his father’s ideology” and is “not involved in politics at all.” » “The accusation made against him is unfounded,” he believes, referring to a “a little shy” man who “doesn’t talk much but is a generous guy. » “There are thousands of potential terrorists who should have left France, but they chose Omar (Ben Laden),” laments the octogenarian.
