Family and friends of a Norwegian student murdered in London two years ago now hope that American involvement in the case will help them win the justice they seek. The main suspect has a US passport, and thus may finally be forced to face trial.
Martine Vik Magnussen was found murdered in the basement of a London apartment building after last seen leaving a nightclub with fellow student Farouk Abdulhak. Both came from affluent families and Abdulhak flew out of London the day after Magnussen disappeared.
British police believe he fled to his native Yemen after killing Magnussen, but have been frustrated in their efforts to bring him to trial because the UK has no extradition treaty with Yemen. Nor does Norway, but Abdulhak also carried a US passport, so hopes have risen that American authorities can demand he face the charges against him.
An official at the US Embassy in Oslo told Nettavisen late last week that there had been contact between Norwegian and American authorities regarding the Magnussen murder, and that US officials “share the Norwegian government’s desire for justice” in the case.
Magnussen’s family and friends have expressed frustration in dealing with the Norwegian authorities, but Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has claimed he and his staff have been doing all they can to help British authorities get Abdulhak into custody.
Views and News staff
