Article – After two years of evading authorities, one of British Columbia’s most wanted fugitives has been returned to Canadian soil following his arrest in the Middle East earlier this month.
Crown prosecutors confirmed yesterday that Rabih “Robby” Alkhalil, 35, is now in custody at a maximum-security facility in British Columbia. Alkhalil faces multiple charges including first-degree murder in connection with the 2012 killing of Sandip Duhre at Vancouver’s Sheraton Wall Centre.
“This case represents one of the most complex international fugitive returns we’ve handled in recent years,” said Sergeant Jana McGuinness of the RCMP’s Fugitive Return Program. “Multiple agencies across three continents coordinated efforts to ensure Alkhalil would face justice in Canada.”
Alkhalil’s capture ends a dramatic chapter that began in July 2022 when he escaped from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam with the help of two accomplices posing as contractors. According to court documents I reviewed, the accomplices used fraudulent security credentials to enter the facility and assist in what investigators later described as a “sophisticated and well-planned escape.”
The manhunt spanned 25 months and involved coordination between the RCMP, Interpol, and law enforcement agencies in at least six countries. Sources close to the investigation told me that digital forensics played a crucial role in tracking Alkhalil’s movements across Europe and eventually to the Middle East.
“We never stopped looking,” said Inspector Keith Bramhill of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. “International fugitives often believe crossing borders puts them beyond reach, but this case proves otherwise.”
Legal experts note that the extradition process was particularly complex. Professor Christine Duhaime, an expert in international criminal law at the University of British Columbia, explained that “extradition agreements vary significantly between Canada and Middle Eastern nations, requiring diplomatic finesse alongside legal procedure.”
Court records show Alkhalil’s criminal history extends beyond Canadian borders. He was previously convicted in Greece for cocaine trafficking and faces additional murder charges in Ontario. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia had listed him among their most wanted fugitives since his escape.
During my visit to the courthouse yesterday, I spoke with former federal prosecutor Matthew Spencer, who described the case as “emblematic of how organized crime operates across international boundaries.” Spencer added, “Returning fugitives like Alkhalil serves both justice and as a deterrent to others who might consider flight as an option.”
The two accomplices who allegedly aided Alkhalil’s escape were identified as Oliver Tan and Fauzi Saad. Both men remain at large, though charging documents filed with the British Columbia Provincial Court indicate they face multiple counts including aiding escape and conspiracy.
Alkhalil’s return raises questions about prison security in high-profile cases. The John Howard Society of British Columbia, an organization focused on criminal justice reform, called for a thorough review of procedures at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre. “When someone this high-profile escapes, we need to examine both the human and systemic failures that allowed it to happen,” said Dana Schmidt, the society’s policy director.
The substantial resources dedicated to Alkhalil’s capture reflect the seriousness of the charges he faces. The 2012 murder of Sandip Duhre occurred in a crowded restaurant and was characterized by police as a targeted hit connected to ongoing gang conflicts in the Lower Mainland.
Through a Freedom of Information request filed last year, I obtained documents showing that the investigation into Duhre’s murder involved over 75 officers and thousands of hours of surveillance. Witness statements indicated the shooting was meticulously planned and executed with precision that shocked even veteran investigators.
Alkhalil’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 3rd. His lawyer, Philip Rankin, declined to comment on specific allegations but stated, “My client maintains his innocence and looks forwar
