French authorities have ordered Omar bin Laden, son of slain Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, to leave the country due to social media posts advocating terrorism. France’s Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, announced the decision on Tuesday.
Omar bin Laden, 43, lived in Normandy, northern France, since 2016, after leaving his father’s side at 19. He married British national Jane Felix-Browne in 2007 and took up painting. However, his social media activity in 2023 prompted authorities to revoke his residency.
Retailleau stated that Omar bin Laden’s posts “advocated terrorism,” leading the Orne prefect to issue an order for him to leave French territory. Courts have upheld the decision, citing national security concerns.
Omar bin Laden’s expulsion highlights France’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and extremist ideology. His father, Osama bin Laden, was killed in a 2011 US operation in Pakistan. The bin Laden family’s complex history and connections continue to draw international attention.
