Ol-Khan, an Afghan refugee in France, is facing judicial proceedings over alleged links to terrorist networks, a secret trip to Afghanistan, and possible military training. The French newspaper Le Monde reported on Monday that he was detained on suspicion of “planning terrorist acts” and “financing terrorism.”
According to the French newspaper, Ol-Khan was arrested by French police on 29 June as he was leaving his workplace in the city of Lourdes. The investigation was launched after a TikTok user reported an account to police in the summer of 2025 that authorities allegedly identified as belonging to Ol-Khan.
According to Le Monde, the account praised the Haqqani network and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while encouraging followers to engage in “jihad.” After examining the account and related information, French authorities began investigating Ol-Khan’s alleged links to terrorist groups.
During a search of Ol-Khan’s mobile phone, French police reportedly found photographs and videos that authorities say indicate he had traveled to Afghanistan in recent months. In one photograph, dated 26 December 2025, he is seen in Nangarhar wearing traditional clothing and carrying a Kalashnikov rifle and a vest containing ammunition magazines.
In other images, Ol-Khan is seen wearing military clothing in Kabul, standing alongside the Taliban’s white flag and, in some cases, inside what appears to be a police facility. French authorities consider the images among the evidence raising the possibility that he was present in Afghanistan and may have had links to military structures.
French authorities say Ol-Khan traveled from France to Istanbul on 9 December 2025. He also held an Iranian visa, and investigators believe he may have traveled to Afghanistan from Turkey. The trip reportedly lasted nearly four months, and he returned to France in early April 2026.
According to French counterterrorism officials, evidence of his alleged extremist views emerged after Ol-Khan’s return. Case materials reportedly indicate that, in some conversations, he spoke about “armed jihad,” “reaching paradise,” and being killed as a “martyr.”
Police also reportedly discovered a propaganda video containing images of weapons and beheadings. In another edited video, an image of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister and leader of the Haqqani network, was superimposed over Ol-Khan’s face.
Ol-Khan has denied the allegations against him, as well as having traveled to Afghanistan. During questioning, he said he had traveled to Iran to visit his ill wife and son and that the images allegedly showing him in Afghanistan were from previous years.
French authorities, however, say telecommunications data and technical information contained in the images indicate that Ol-Khan’s mobile phone was used in Afghanistan during a period close to the time under investigation. They consider this evidence inconsistent with his claim that he did not travel to Afghanistan.
Ol-Khan’s lawyers have also rejected the allegations against their client. They argue that merely traveling to or being present in Afghanistan, given the country’s security situation, is not sufficient to establish participation in terrorist crimes. They maintain that their client must be presumed innocent unless and until his guilt is proven.
The judicial investigation into Ol-Khan’s alleged links to a terrorist network, possible military training, and potential involvement in terrorism-related activities remains ongoing. No final findings have yet been announced.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
