The dad of a Norwegian student murdered 17 years ago has said his family ‘will not be silenced’ as they continue to fight for justice.
Odd Petter Magnussen spoke of how he was ‘painfully reminded’ about his daughter Martine Vik Magnussen’s death as the world marked International Women’s Day.
He was joined in an appeal by the Metropolitan Police officer heading the case, who urged the suspect to hand himself in.
The 23-year-old Norwegian student was found inside the basement of a property in west London on March 16, 2008, after her friends had reported her missing.
A post-mortem examination determined she had died from compression to her neck.
Enquiries also indicated that Martine had been raped around the time of her death.
Farouk Abdulhak, a billionaire’s son who had been at Maddox nightclub in Mayfair with Martine two days earlier, is wanted by the Met for the murder.
He fled the UK within hours of her death, travelling to Egypt and then on to Yemen.
Mr 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.’
Martine had been celebrating end of term exams with friends at the club before catching a taxi with Abdulhak at around 2am on March 14.
The Met launched an investigation after her friends reported her missing the following day.
On March 16, officers making enquiries visited the residential block in Great Portland Street where Abdulhak lived and discovered her body in the padlocked basement.
Attempts had been made to conceal her beneath the rubble.
A verdict of unlawful killing was recorded at Westminster Coroner’s Court on November 24, 2010.
Abdulhak, who studied with Martine at Regent’s Business School, is wanted by Scotland Yard and subject to an international arrest warrant.
The 38-year-old’s late father, Shaher Abdulhak, had an extensive business portfolio including petroleum, property, soft drinks, sugar and tourism.
In 2023, Farouk told the BBC that Martine died as a result of a ‘sex accident gone wrong’ and ‘I did something when I was younger, it was a mistake.’
Mr Magnussen has previously appealed directly to the suspect via Metro, saying: ‘Have some dignity and show some respect for my family and Martine by going back to the UK to tell the police what happened to her.
‘The alternative is less freedom, less quality of life and the possibility of someone securing justice in a much more brutal way.’
Martine’s family has spoken out more broadly against violence against women and girls and created a park in her memory in Myanmar.
The safe space hosts an annual conference for women to advocate for their rights.
Detective Inspector Jim Barry, leading the investigation at 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 in to UK police.’
Throughout the last 17 years, specialist Met officers have been committed to securing justice for Martine.
Her family continues to support the investigation.
Det Insp Barry said: ‘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.’
Martine’s loved ones echoed the detective’s words in a post on Facebook, writing: ‘We appeal directly to Farouk Abdulhak: If you have any sense of conscience, return to the UK to face a fair trial.
‘Hiding in Yemen does not erase the crime or the suffering you have caused.
‘We also call on the Houthi authorities controlling Sanaa: Justice is not negotiable.
‘By sheltering a fugitive from a horrific crime, you send a message that violence against women has no consequences.
‘You have the power to end this. Ensure Abdulhak is returned to the UK to stand trial.’
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Issuing the appeal, the Met said it is ‘absolutely committed’ to protecting women and girls and improvements in the area contributed to the force being moved out of special measures by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services last month.
According to the news release, 564 officers and staff have been drafted into public protection roles across the force, aimed at enhancing domestic abuse, rape and sexual offence investigation teams.
The Met also said that in the past year more than 450 people have been charged with rape or sexual offences.
Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact josh.layton@metro.co.uk
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