SURREY — Rabih Alkhalil, a gangland killer who escaped from a British Columbia jail in 2022, has been arrested in Qatar. Police confirmed his capture, which comes three years after he fled from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam, B.C.

At the time of his escape, Alkhalil was on trial for the 2012 shooting death of a rival gang member at a busy restaurant in Vancouver. He was later convicted in absentia of first-degree murder. Alkhalil also has a prior conviction from 2017 for the murder of a man at a coffee shop in Toronto.

Canadian authorities are collaborating with Interpol and other agencies to facilitate Alkhalil's return to Canada. He has been listed as one of the country's most wanted fugitives. Police reported that he was using an alias at the time of his arrest in Qatar.

Officials expressed gratitude to Qatar for its “critical assistance” and “swift and decisive action” in apprehending Alkhalil. Manny Mann, chief officer of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, stated, “Through their exceptional diligence, investigators ensured the apprehension of a dangerous fugitive who might otherwise still be outstanding today.”

In connection with Alkhalil's escape, police recently announced charges against three individuals accused of aiding him. Edward Ayoub and John Potvin, both from Ottawa, along with Ryan Van Gool from Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., face charges related to the incident. Video footage from the escape shows two men posing as contractors, escorting Alkhalil through the detention facility.

The investigation into the escape continues as authorities work to bring Alkhalil back to Canada.