AWhen he went to Qatar on business at the beginning of this year, Omar Bin Laden now finds himself stuck there, no longer having the right to return to France where he has been based with his wife since 2016, in Normandy . Consequence of an administrative ban on territory pronounced on October 8 by the new Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, after the publication in 2023 “on his social networks of remarks relating to the apology of terrorism”.
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On May 2 of that year, the anniversary of the death of Osama Bin Laden, a message posted on X via the account @omarbinladin1 paid tribute to the former leader of Al-Qaeda. Two months later, Omar Bin Laden was arrested by the GIGN at his home in Domfront-en-Poiraie (Orne) and then questioned by investigators. Despite the denials of the forty-year-old, an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF) was then taken against him immediately.
ALSO READ Omar bin Laden: the tweet of discord, from Yemen to NormandyThe fourth son of Osama Bin Laden continues to forcefully refute any link with the famous tweet, the author of which allegedly usurped his identity. In addition, the message would have been posted from Yemen… where Omar Bin Laden claims to have never set foot! From the Persian Gulf, the painter, who recalls having completely broken with his father even before the September 11 attacks, agreed to answer our questions by videoconference after an introductory statement. “I think there was a misunderstanding. I don’t understand why I can’t come back to France. I have never supported terrorism, I have always been against all forms of violence. I am on the side of peace! I like the French, I have many friends in France. I am very happy there, and I hope to be able to come back soon. »
The Point: Did you write the famous tweet?
Omar Ben Laden: No, this tweet was not from me. Someone wrote it using my name. It’s not even my account! Besides, this message was not posted from France! I regret that comments are attributed to me that are not my own. I am a peaceful, quiet person, I want to be at peace with people. I also believe that the author of this tweet was primarily referring to my father during the war against Russia, and at that time, he was rather well regarded by the Western world. He was even a hero for many, in England, in the United States… At no time does he refer to the September 11 attacks or to terrorism. Some have interpreted it like that when that is not the case at all! For my part, I never talk about politics, violence, terrorism, I only talk about my painting. This is my only activity: being an artist.
What did you do after reading this message and what were the consequences for you?
When I discovered this tweet, I was immediately afraid that there was a misunderstanding. I asked the author to remove it, without success. So, I tried to have it deleted, but that wasn’t possible either because I don’t have access to the account, I don’t have the password. We tried everything! Since then, I have withdrawn from social networks, I only mind my own business, I only aspire to be a professional artist, accepted by French society.
What do you do with your days in Qatar?
I try to manage my affairs as best I can, paint, enjoy life, nature, ride horses, spend time with friends.
It breaks my heart not to be able to come back to France!
Do you hope to return to France quickly?
Yes, I love my life in France! It is the country that welcomed me, that accepted me. I can’t be happy to be far from France, it breaks my heart not to be able to come back! I’m being prevented from doing so even though France has become my country, and I love the French! I have good memories here, and many friends. I am recognized there as an artist. I’m very sad, and I hope someone higher up eventually sees the truth and we can resolve this problem.
If you were facing the French Minister of the Interior, what would you say to him?
I will tell him to analyze the whole situation carefully, to allow me to come and meet him so that I can explain it to him, and I am sure that at the end of the day, he will even be a fan of me! I invite him to contact me directly, that will be the best way to realize that what people are saying about me at the moment is not at all the reality. I had nothing to do with what my father did. I left it in 1999, when I left Afghanistan, my country of origin, for good. Since then, I have traveled peacefully all over the world and now I only hope for one thing, to return to France and organize a painting exhibition in Paris in the coming weeks.
