NEW DELHI: Saudi Arabia announced on Friday it had revoked the citizenship of Hamza bin Laden, one of the sons of late Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, Reuters reported.
According to reports, Hamza bin Laden has become an increasingly prominent figure in the terror network.
A notice published Friday by the kingdom’s official gazette Umm al-Qura newspaper said Saudi Arabia strip him of his citizenship via a royal decree in November
The announcement came a day after United States offered a $1 million reward (over Rs 7 crore) for information on Hamza bin Laden, seeing him as an emerging face of extremism.
The location of Hamza bin Laden, sometimes dubbed the “crown prince of jihad,” has been the subject of speculation for years with reports of him living in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria or under house arrest in Iran.
WANTED. Up to $1 million for information on Hamza bin Laden, an emerging al-Qa'ida leader. Hamza is son of Usama bin Laden and has threatened attacks against the United States and allies. Relocation possible. Submit a tip, get paid. https://t.co/LtBVhsrwTc #RFJ pic.twitter.com/gmx5hkoSzQ
— Rewards for Justice عربي (@Rewards4Justice) February 28, 2019
“Hamza bin Laden is the son of deceased former AQ leader Osama bin Laden and is emerging as a leader in the AQ franchise,” a State Department statement said, referring to Al-Qaeda.
The State Department said that it would offer $1 million for information leading to his location in any country.
Bin Laden, who according to the United States is around 30, has threatened attacks against the United States to avenge the 2011 killing of his father, who was living in hiding in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad, by US special forces.
With AFP inputs