Police call on socialite death fugitive to give himself up and face justice
Police hunting the fugitive son of a wealthy businessman allegedly in hiding over the murder of a Norwegian socialite in London have told him: we will never give up.
Farouk Abdulhak remains the only suspect in the death of Martine Vik Magnussen, whose partially-concealed body was found in rubble in the basement of flats on Great Portland Street in central London on March 16 2008.
She was last seen with Abdulhak – son of billionaire sugar magnate Shaher Abdulhak – as the pair left the Maddox nightclub in Mayfair in the early hours of March 14. The pair studied international business relations at the private Regent’s Business School in Regent’s Park.
By the time 23-year-old Ms Vik Magnussen’s remains were found, Abdulhak had fled to Egypt and on to Yemen.
A post-mortem examination gave her cause of death as compression to the neck. She had also been raped.
An inquest at Westminster Coroner’s Court in 2010 recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
Police fear they are unable to bring Abdulhak to justice while he remains at large because there is no extradition treaty between Yemen and the UK, meaning he cannot be forced to return.
Detective Superintendent Andy Partridge, of the Metropolitan Police’s homicide and major crime command, said: “March 14 will mark 11 years since Martine was brutally murdered and this case remains a priority for myself and my officers to solve.
“The suspect wanted for Martine’s death fled the UK within hours of her murder and to this day he remains wanted. I want to make it clear that we will not stop in our efforts to get justice for Martine’s family and bring the person responsible for her murder to justice.”
Mr Partridge, who has kept Ms Vik Magnussen’s family informed of developments, said: “The family and loved ones of Martine have remained dignified and resolute throughout the years and they deserve answers.
“The passage of time only serves to make this injustice greater and I am appealing once again to Farouk Abdulhak to return to the UK.
“This matter will not go away no matter how many years pass by.
“My officers will never give up on seeking justice for Martine and her grieving family and friends deserve some measure of closure from what must be an unimaginable nightmare.”
He said targeted social media posts would be published in Arabic this week in an effort to encourage those who know Abdulhak to encourage him to return to the UK.
