Kuwaiti man, 23, denies stabbing Omani student, 20, to death outside Harrods ‘while trying to steal his £41,000 Rolex watch’
- Badir Rahim Alnazi is accused of attacking Mohamed Abdullah Al Araimi
- He allegedly tried to snatch a Rolex watch before stabbing Omani Al Araimi
- Alnazi denied four charges including murder at Old Bailey via video link today
Omani national Mohamed Abdullah Al Araimi (pictured) was killed outside Harrods
A man from Kuwait has denied stabbing an Omani student to death outside Harrods while trying to stealing his Rolex watch worth more than £41,000.
Badir Rahim Alnazi, 23, is accused of attacking 20-year-old Mohamed Abdullah Al Araimi near the luxury department store in Knightsbridge on December 5 last year.
Mr Al Araimi, who was living in London, had been walking with his friend Nasser Kanoo after going out for a meal when they were allegedly set upon.
It is claimed the defendant, a Kuwaiti national, had tried to snatch a watch worth £41,610 belonging to Mr Al Araimi.
Mr Al Araimi, a King’s College politics and economics student whose family is said to be close to Oman’s ruling dynasty, was pronounced dead on December 6.
Alnazi handed himself into police on January 8 after the Met Police released CCTV footage and offered a £20,000 reward for information.
Alnazi denied Mr Al Araimi’s murder, wounding Mr Kanoo with intent, attempted robbery and possession of a knife on or before December 6 (pictured, scene of the case)
The defendant, of Beaconsfield Road, Brent, northwest London, appeared before the Old Bailey for a plea hearing today. He spoke to confirm his name via video link from custody and entered not guilty pleas to four charges.
He denied Mr Al Araimi’s murder, wounding Mr Kanoo with intent, attempted robbery and possession of a knife on or before December 6.
The indictment states that the value of the luxury timepiece is £41,610.
The court heard a provisional three-week trial had previously been set for July 6. A further plea and case management was also fixed at the Old Bailey for June 4.
Matt Barrowcliffe QC, prosecuting, said at an earlier hearing: ‘It’s essentially a robbery which takes place, and the victim gets stabbed and dies.’
Following his death, Mr Al Araimi’s brother Salem Abdullah Al Araimi said in a statement on behalf of his family: ‘Our hearts are eternally broken.’