Shaher Abdulhak
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Shaher Abdulhak | |
Born | c. 1938 Egypt[1] |
---|---|
Residence | Yemen |
Occupation | Businessman |
Shaher Abdulhak (b. c. 1938[2]) is a Yemeni businessman. He is one of the wealthiest men in the country, and is well connected also politically. Since March 2008, Abdulhak's son Farouk has been wanted for questioning in the murder of a Norwegian girl in London.
[edit] Career
In 1963 Abdulhak founded the company "Shaher Trading", an enterprise involved in petroleum, soft drinks, tourism and property. [3] He is today a billionaire, and considered to be one of the wealthiest men in the country.[4] Abdulhak is known as the "King of Sugar" in Yemen, where he holds great influence also politically.[5] He is a personal friend of president Ali Abdullah Saleh.[6] In spite of his prominent position in Yemeni society, Abdulhak is media-shy; he never grants interviews and no photo of him has ever been printed in the local press.[5]
[edit] Personal life
In March 2008, Abdulhak became the unwilling object of media scrutiny, when his son went missing in connection with a London murder case.[7] Abdulhak's then 21-year-old son Farouk was wanted for questioning in the murder of the 23-year-old Norwegian Martine Vik Magnussen, who was found dead in a pile of rubble in the basement of Farouk's house.[8] Shaher Abdulhak – who was allegedly already displeased with his son's jet-set lifestyle in London, and had threatened to cut him off – claimed to have no knowledge of Farouk's whereabouts, but had hired a detective to find him, and would disown him if he was found to have anything to do with the murder.[6] Yemeni officials have also promised to hand over the suspect if found.[9] Yemen, however, has no extradition treaty with the United Kingdom, and extradition is against the country's constitution.[10] A western diplomat stated that "If the father decides his son will not be touched, he will not be touched."[5]
[edit] References
- ^ - Redsel i arabiske aviser (Norwegian), TV2, March 20, 2008
- ^ Nina Berglund. "Family of man sought in student's death hires a lawyer", Aftenposten, 2008-03-19. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
- ^ Shaher Trading Company Limited (STCO). STCO. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
- ^ Sonia Verma and Adele Moggridge. "Martine Vik Magnussen murder: I'll disown my son if he is killer, says Yemeni billionaire", The Times, 2008-03-20. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
- ^ a b c Sonia Verma and Adele Moggridge. "Man suspecting of Norwegian student's murder had 'playboy lifestyle'", The Times, 2008-03-21. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
- ^ a b Sam Greenhill. "Playboy's father could order him back to Britain over socialite's killing", Daily Mail, 2008-03-21. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
- ^ "Murder hunt police seek billionaire's son", Channel 4 News, 2008-03-20. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
- ^ "Student death police hunt man, 23", BBC News, 2008-03-18. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
- ^ "Yemen 'will hand over prime suspect in Martine's murder'", Daily Mail, 2008-03-20. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
- ^ Tim Butcher and Richard Edwards. "Martine suspect 'took her gear as trophies'", The Daily Telegraph, 2008-03-22. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.