By Abiola Olawale
The French government has announced its decision to ban Omar bin Laden, the son of slain al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, from entering France.
The decision was announced in a press statement issued by France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
Retailleau said Omar bin Laden was ordered to leave over posts on social media which allegedly advocated for ‘terrorism.’
Retailleau said he imposed an additional ban to ensure that Omar bin Laden “will not be able to return to France for any reason whatsoever.”
The Minister said: “As a result, the prefect of Orne issued an order to leave French territory. The courts have confirmed the legality of this decision taken in the interests of national security.”
It would be recalled that Omar came under scrutiny after an X account with the handle @omarbinladin1 posted on May 2, 2023, the 12th anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, a message paying tribute to the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, which destroyed the World Trade Center in New York City.
Bin Laden’s son was subsequently placed under formal investigation.
He left France in October 2023 after receiving an order to get out. At that time, Omar’s residency permit, which he had obtained through his wife’s British citizenship, was revoked and the 43-year-old received a two-year ban from entering France.
Last Friday, a French court refused Omar’s appeal against the order to leave.
