French authorities have ordered Omar bin Laden, the 43-year-old son of Osama bin Laden, to leave the country.
The decision, announced by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on Tuesday, comes after Omar bin Laden posted comments on social media advocating terrorism in 2023.
Born in Saudi Arabia, Omar bin Laden spent his early years in Sudan and Afghanistan before settling in Normandy, France, in 2016.
He took up painting and married British national Jane Felix-Browne, now known as Zaina Mohammed.
Omar bin Laden’s marriage to British woman Jane Felix-Browne, a grandmother who had been divorced five times previously and over two decades his senior, had caused considerable media interest when it was confirmed in 2007.
Retailleau stated that Omar bin Laden’s social media posts posed a threat to national security, prompting the Orne prefect to issue an order for him to leave French territory. The courts have since confirmed the legality of this decision.
“The comments posted on his social networks in 2023 advocated terrorism,” Retailleau said. “As a result, the prefect of Orne issued an order to leave French territory.”
“As a result, the prefect of Orne issued an order to leave French territory,” Retailleau said. “The courts have confirmed the legality of this decision taken in the interests of national security,” he added.
To ensure public safety, Retailleau also signed a ban preventing Omar bin Laden from re-entering France for any reason.
Omar bin Laden’s father, Osama bin Laden, founded Al Qaeda and was killed by US special forces in Pakistan in 2011.
