B.C. convicted killer who escaped Coquitlam jail caught in Qatar | Daily Hive

Rabih Alkhalil, a convicted killer who escaped from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Coquitlam in 2022, has been captured overseas. (RCMP)

A B.C. convicted killer who pulled off a dramatic escape from a Coquitlam jail has been found halfway around the world.

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) and the RCMP confirmed in a Sept. 25 news release that Rabih Alkhalil was arrested in Qatar earlier this month while living under an alias.

Alkhalil made international headlines in July 2022 when two men disguised as contractors helped him break out of the North Fraser Pretrial Centre.

North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Coquitlam, where Rabih Alkhalil escaped custody in 2022. (gov.bc.ca)

At the time, he was on trial for a 2012 Vancouver murder. Since then, he’s been convicted in that case, his second first-degree murder conviction.

RCMP said the arrest was made possible with the assistance of Qatar’s Ministry of Interior and Interpol.

“Through their exceptional diligence, investigators ensured the apprehension of a dangerous fugitive who might otherwise still be outstanding today,” Assistant Commissioner Manny Mann, chief officer of CFSEU-BC, said in the release.

Chief Superintendent Stephen Lee, who is also the deputy regional commander of federal policing in the Pacific region, said the case underscored the importance of cross-border policing.

“This arrest highlights the exceptional cooperation and unwavering commitment of our law enforcement partners across borders,” Lee said.

The Bolo Program, which had Alkhalil on its national “most wanted” list, also praised the outcome.

“The arrest of Rabih Alkhalil marks the end of one of the most complex fugitive investigations the Bolo Program has seen since its creation,” Max Langlois, executive director of the program, said in the release.

Earlier this month, RCMP charged three men, Edward Ayoub, Ryan Van Gool and John Potvin, with conspiracy to commit a prison breach and prison breach in connection with Alkhalil’s escape.

Potvin was arrested in Spain on Sept. 19 on an Interpol Red Notice.

According to the RCMP, the investigation remains active and efforts are underway to return the B.C. convicted killer, Alkhalil, to Canada to face justice.

You might also like:

Want to stay on top of all things Vancouver? Follow us on X