Rabih “Robby” Alkhalil
DOHA, Qatar – One of Canada’s most wanted fugitives, Rabih Alkhalil, has been arrested in Qatar after three years on the run.
The 38-year-old who was the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice for charges including murder and conspiracy to import cocaine, had been on the run following his escape from prison in Canada while on trial for murder.
The arrest was made possible through cooperation between the Qatar Ministry of the Interior, the INTERPOL National Central Bureaus in Doha and Ottawa, deployed Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Liaison Officers, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia and the RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region.
Alkhalil will be held in Qatar pending his return to Canada.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) and the Federal Policing – Pacific Region (FP-PR) confirmed that Mr. Rabih Alkhalil was arrested in Qatar under an alias in September 2025.
The CFSEU-BC and RCMP are working with Interpol and international partners to have Rabih Alkhalil returned to Canada where he is wanted for being unlawfully at large after escaping prison while on trial for murder. Since his escape, Rabih Alkahlil has been convicted of murder that occurred in 2012 in Vancouver, British Columbia, making this his second first degree murder charge.
In February 2023, the Alkhalil investigation was transferred to CFSEU-BC with FP-PR joining the investigation in December 2023.
“This arrest highlights the exceptional cooperation and unwavering commitment of our law enforcement partners across borders. Through dedicated coordination, intelligence-sharing and strong interagency collaboration, we have ensured that a dangerous individual will be held accountable. I commend all the agencies involved for their expertise, tenacity and shared commitment,” said Chief Superintendent Stephen Lee, Deputy Regional Commander of FP-PR.
The charges stem from July 21, 2022, when Coquitlam RCMP responded to an incident at the pretrial centre after two men posing as contractors aided in the escape of Alkhalil where he was being held while on trial for a 2012 murder he had been charged with that occurred in Vancouver, British Columbia.
On September 8, 2025, CFSEU-BC and FP-PR announced charges against Edward Ayoub, Ryan Van Gool and John Potvin for conspiracy to commit prison breach and prison breach. On September 19, 2025 John Potvin was arrested in Spain on the Red Notice.
“The arrest of Rabih Alkhalil marks the end of one of the most complex fugitive investigations the Bolo (Be On The Lookout) Program has seen since its creation,” said Max Langlois, Executive Director, Bolo Program.
“To the BC RCMP and CFSEU-BC investigators who have worked tirelessly on this case for the past 3 years: thank you for never giving up. Your determination and professionalism are exemplary. And, above all, thank you everyone for being on the lookout for Alkhalil. Justice can finally be served.”
This investigation remains active and ongoing.
