Canada's Most Wanted Fugitive Rabih Alkhalil Arrested in Qatar After Three-Year International Manhunt

B.C. Fugitive Rabih Alkhalil Arrested in Qatar After 3 Years on the Run

Rabih Alkhalil, a fugitive with a violent criminal history who escaped from a B.C. jail in 2022, has been arrested in Qatar. The arrest, confirmed by the RCMP, concludes a three-year international search.

Details of the Arrest

Cpl. Sarbjit Sangha with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. (CFSEU-BC) confirmed that Alkhalil was taken into custody earlier this month while living under an alias. The Qatar's Ministry of Interior played a "critical" role in the arrest, providing swift action that led to his capture.

Background on Rabih Alkhalil

The 38-year-old Alkhalil, originally from Montreal, has an extensive criminal record. He was convicted in a 2012 Toronto murder, as well as a murder in Vancouver in the same year. He escaped from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam, B.C. on July 21, 2022, while awaiting trial on murder charges.

The Escape and Investigation

In July 2022, two men posing as contractors driving a white Econoline van helped Alkhalil escape. The three-year international search involved the RCMP's Federal Policing Pacific Region and Interpol.

Accomplices Charged

In September 2025, charges were announced against three men accused of assisting Alkhalil's escape: Edward Ayoub, 48, of Ottawa, John Potvin, 49, of Ottawa, and Ryan van Gool, 46, from Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. They face charges of conspiracy to commit prison breach and prison breach. Potvin was arrested earlier this year in Spain.

Statements and Future Steps

Max Langlois, executive director of the Bolo Program, called Alkhalil's arrest "the end of one of the most complex fugitive investigations Bolo has seen since its creation." Authorities are working with Interpol and other agencies to have Alkhalil returned to Canada.