Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

France release mistakenly arrested man for murder of Khashoggi

  • By Al Mayadeen
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Dec 2021 20:41
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The French authorities announce the release of a Saudi citizen bearing the same name as a man wanted for the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

  • x
  • Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France
    Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France

French authorities released Wednesday a man arrested on suspicion of playing a role in the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which took place in Istanbul in 2018.

The French decision came after the authorities found that the detainee had been a victim of mistaken identity.

The French border police at Roissy Airport arrested Tuesday the man bearing a passport in the name of Khalid al-Otaibi as he was preparing to board a flight to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

French media reported that the police and judicial sources told them he was the al-Otaibi wanted under an international arrest warrant for being part of the hit squad that carried out the journalist's murder at his home country's consulate in Istanbul.

"In-depth verifications to determine the identity of this person have enabled us to establish that the warrant was not applicable to him," the chief prosecutor in Paris, Remy Heitz, said in a statement, admitting to the gaffe. "He has been released," Heitz added.

Related News

Macron says Europe not feared enough in trade deal with US

'Israel', Syria agree to de-escalate amid Paris meeting: Al Monitor

Turkey is trying in absentia 26 people over the assassination of Khashoggi, and Istanbul issued an Interpol Red Notice seeking the suspects, while the United States announced sanctions on all the members of the hit squad.

The Saudi embassy in Paris issued a statement late on Tuesday saying the man arrested at the hands of the French police had "nothing to do with the case in question," demanding his immediate release.

A security source in Saudi Arabia explained that "Khalid al-Otaibi" was a very common name in the KSA, and that the al-Otaibi the French thought they were holding was actually serving his time in prison in Saudi Arabia along with "all the defendants in the case."

'All defendants serving sentences

Media rights body Reporters Without Borders (RSF) had welcomed Tuesday's arrest, saying it was "excellent news". RSF also noted that it would reactivate a previously filed legal complaint with Paris prosecutors against al-Otaibi for murder, torture, and enforced disappearance against the Saudi journalist

A source close to the French investigation insisted that the man arrested in Paris had the same date and place of birth as the wanted al-Otaibi, and even bore a physical resemblance.

The al-Otaibi's arrest came three days after French President Emanuel Macron visited Saudi Arabia and met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.

"[The visit] doesn't mean that I endorse anything," Macron said in a reference to the Khashoggi murder.

  • Paris
  • Emmanuel Macron
  • Jamal Khashoggi
  • Mohammed Bin Salman
  • France
  • Paris Saint-Germain
  • Saudi Arabia

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS