Canada's Most Wanted Fugitive Arrested in Qatar

One of Canada’s most wanted fugitives, Rabih “Robby” Alkhalil, has been arrested in Qatar following a multi-year international pursuit, INTERPOL announced. His capture comes after escaping custody in Canada while on trial, and his arrest underscores significant cross-border law enforcement cooperation. 

At 38 years old, Alkhalil had been the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice, wanted for charges including first-degree murder and conspiracy to import cocaine. He reportedly fled Canada after breaking out of prison amid his trial proceedings. Upon arrest in Qatar, he will be detained there pending legal processes related to his return to Canada. 

According to INTERPOL, the successful apprehension was made possible through coordinated efforts among Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, INTERPOL’s national bureaus in Doha and Ottawa, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Canada’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC). While Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has not publicly confirmed the arrest, INTERPOL has officially verified the detention.

Alkhalil had been evading capture for approximately three years. His escape followed his breakout from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam in July 2022, an event linked to accomplices posing as contractors. Subsequent investigations led Canadian authorities to charge multiple individuals in connection with his escape. 

The path toward returning Alkhalil to Canada is expected to be legally and diplomatically challenging. Canada and Qatar currently lack a formal extradition treaty, which could complicate the process and extend negotiations. Some analysts caution that without a treaty, Canada may need to rely on diplomatic arrangements, prisoner exchanges, or special assurances to secure his transfer. 

For Canada, the arrest marks a significant milestone in its efforts to bring an accused killer and major criminal figure to justice. Alkhalil’s alleged involvement in gang-related violence and his status on Canada’s most wanted list made his capture a priority for domestic law enforcement. 

Internationally, the case highlights both the power and limitations of global policing networks. While INTERPOL’s Red Notice system and bilateral collaboration were instrumental in locating and detaining Alkhalil, the absence of robust extradition frameworks may delay his return. 

Moving forward, Canadian authorities will likely intensify diplomatic engagement with Qatar to negotiate Alkhalil’s handover. Meanwhile, the arrest sends a strong message about the reach of international justice and the persistence of efforts to apprehend fugitives across borders.