Woman arrested over 2008 murder of student found strangled and raped ‘by playboy son of billionaire’ on the run in Yemen
A WOMAN has been arrested over the death of a 23-year-old student who was raped and murdered after a night out 14 years ago.
Martine Vik Magnussen was out celebrating after coming top of her class at Regents Business School London on March 14, 2008, when she vanished.
Two days later, her body was discovered partially buried underneath rubble in a basement on Great Portland Street in central London.
The only suspect in the harrowing case, Farouk Abdulhak, fled to Yemen in his dad's private jet and has refused to return to the UK for questioning.
Scotland Yard today confirmed a woman aged in her 60s has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
She remains in custody at a central London police station.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood leads the investigation. He said: “Martine’s family has never given up their fight for justice and in the 14 years since her death they have campaigned tirelessly to keep her in the public consciousness.
“Martine’s family has been informed of this latest development. Though it represents a positive step, there is still much more work for us to do."
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Chilling footage showed Martine walking to her death with the fugitive Playboy, who is son of billionaire Shaher Abdulhak, after leaving Maddox nightclub.
The pair both studied international business relations together at the private Regent's Business School.
Norwegian Martine was raped and then strangled to death - with her Christian Dior earrings, snakeskin shoes, jeans and her Guess watch missing.
Abdulhak, the son of billionaire sugar magnate, fled on his dad's private jet to Egypt and then Yemen.
An inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court in 2010 recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
'FACE JUSTICE'
DCI Eastwood has now pleaded with Abdulhak to come back to the UK to face justice over Martine's brutal killing.
He said: "Most importantly, Farouk Abdulhak should be aware that this matter has not, and will not, go away. My team and I will continue to seek justice and use all opportunities available to pursue him and bring him back to the UK. His status as a wanted man will remain and we will not cease in our efforts to get justice for Martine’s family.
"I'm appealing to Farouk Abdulhak directly. Come back to the UK. Come back to face justice.
"Since Martine’s death, her family has shown true determination, together with my investigation team as we want to provide some closure for Martine’s family."
In 2016, Martine's dad Petter Magnussen released a heartbreaking tribute to his daughter as he revealed an "enormous hole" in his life.
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He added: "What makes the pain so much more difficult to accept is that we are being denied justice as Farouk Abdulhak fled to Yemen after the murder and refuses to return to the UK.
"What we can do and will do is continue to keep the spotlight on this case and cherish the memory of our beloved daughter."
