Son of Osama bin Laden Denied Asylum in Spain

The pacifist son of Osama bin Laden has appealed the Spanish government's decision to deny him political asylum in the country.

Omar bin Laden requested political asylum from the Spanish government shortly after landing in the country from Cairo, Egypt, where he now lives. Omar argued for asylum on the grounds that his life was in danger in the Middle East because of his pacifism.

Although the Spanish government did not publicly give a reason for denying Omar asylum, Omar said in a statement that he believes the request was turned down because of insufficient evidence of danger or threat to his life.

Spain's Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba gave his opinion over the matter, stating that Spain likely rejected the request because it did not meet any of the grounds for political asylum under Spanish law, which is approved by the European Union.

Spain now has 48 hours to respond to Omar's appeal.

Omar, who is married to a British-born citizen, previously applied for asylum in England but was denied by the British government. Omar currently holds a Saudi passport.

Omar has publicly called on his father to abandon terrorism and renounce violence. 

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