Father makes plea to suspect 17 years after daughter was raped and murdered in London
Seventeen years after the death of Norwegian student Martine Vik Magnussen, her father has pleaded directly to the man suspected of raping and murdering her.
The body of 23-year-old Martine Vik Magnussen was found in a basement on Great Portland Street on March 16, 2008, after friends reported her missing.
A post-mortem examination indicated she had been choked to death and it is believed Martine had been raped around the time of her death.
CCTV identified Farouk Abdulhak, who had been at Maddox nightclub with Martine on March 14, as the main suspect.
He fled the UK within hours of her death, travelling to Egypt and then on to Yemen.
Throughout the last 17 years, specialist Met Police officers have been trying to get justice for Martine while her family continue to support the investigation.
Martine's father Odd Petter Magnussen said: 'On March 8, International Women's Day, I was once again painfully reminded that my daughter, Martine Vik Magnussen was brutally raped and murdered in London in 2008.
'For 17 years, justice has been denied as Farouk Abdulhak remains a free man in Yemen.
'Violence against women and girls is a crisis that affects families worldwide and Martine's case is a stark reminder that justice delayed is justice denied.
'Martine's voice was silenced, but we must not be silent for her.'
Farouk Abdulhak is wanted and suspected of murder (Image: Met Police)
Martine's family have continued to speak out against violence against women and girls, creating a park in her memory in Myanmar.
This provides a safe space and hosts an annual conference for women to advocate for their rights.
Detective Inspector Jim Barry, leading the investigation from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: 'Despite Abdulhak's refusal to come to the UK, we are as committed today as we were in 2008 to get justice for Martine.'
'We're releasing a more up to date image of Farouk Abdulhak and hope that someone can encourage him to do the right thing and hand himself into UK police.
'My message is directly to Farouk Abdulhak.
'You have been running and hiding for 17 years. You participated in a BBC documentary, providing your explanation as to what happened.
'It is time to grow up and face your responsibilities to Martine and her family.
'Come to the UK now and explain all to a court and jury. Our pursuit of you will not stop.'
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