Martine murder suspect could be forced from Yemen safe haven

Billionaire playboy Farouk Abdulhak, 22, is living out of reach of British justice in the Middle Eastern state, which will not extradite its citizens.

Scotland Yard has named him as the only suspect for the murder of Martine Vik Magnussen, who was found dead in March 2008.

Speaking in London, the victim's father, Odd Petter Magnussen, pleaded with the authorities to make sure Abdulhak is tried in Britain.

He suggested Farouk may be "voluntarily" extradited as part of a wider picture of politician pressure after the attempted bombing of an airliner on Christmas Day.

The Yemen government has been called on to do more to target terrorists after bomb suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab said he was trained by al-Qaeda there.

Mr Magnussen said: "This question of justice is something that has to do with right and wrong. Irrespective of the political or religious environment in the world, justice has to prevail.

"That is the question the suspect's family have to deal with and I hope they come to the conclusion that will be in line with the police here and our family."

Authorities in Yemen have offered to put Abdulhak on trial if investigators share their dossier of evidence against him. British and Norwegian governments have told the family this is not acceptable as Yemen could impose the death penalty.

Detective Chief Inspector Jessica Wadsworth, who led the inquiry, said the police investigation is complete. She said she hopes Abdulhak will be caught travelling as his details have been circulated worldwide and a European arrest warrant issued.

Speaking at New Scotland Yard, she said: "It is a frustrating place to be. We have worked closely with Mr Magnussen and all the authorities to do everything we can to secure his return to the UK."

The body of Miss Magnussen was found semi-naked and partially buried in the basement of Abdulhak's central London block of flats on 16 March, 2008.