An Omani student stabbed to death outside Harrods was the son of an Anglophile sheikh who founded one of the Middle East’s biggest property empires, the Standard can reveal.
Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Araimi, 20, was attacked as he walked home from a restaurant in Knightsbridge with a friend shortly after midnight on Friday.
He was the youngest son of Sheikh Abdullah Al Araimi, founder of the Al Raid Group, which in 2018 opened the £130 million Al Araimi Boulevard shopping mall in Muscat. It was modelled on the Westfield London centre in Shepherd’s Bush.
The family, said to be close to Oman’s ruling dynasty, reportedly spend much of the year in London and own a number of apartments in a Knightsbridge block opposite Hyde Park.
The victim’s brother was understood to be in the capital last night. The Sheikh spoke of his love of London in an interview earlier this year, describing his family as “regular visitors”.
Today family friends paid tribute to the “very kind and humble” King’s College student who was thought to have been targeted for his Rolex watch.
Falk Ahmed, 34, who worked as a chauffeur for Mr Al Araimi, told the Standard: “He was a very nice and a very kind person and very humble. It’s still a huge shock; I cannot believe he is not here anymore.”
It is thought he tried to fight off his attackers before being knifed in the back and collapsing under a Christmas tree in Hans Crescent, near an entrance to the department store.
His friend, a 20-year-old man believed to be from Bahrain, has been discharged from hospital. Detectives have said that Mr Al Araimi and his friend were “entirely blameless” victims of the attack, which began when they were approached by two men in Basil Street, at the junction of Pavilion Road.
The murder has sent shockwaves through the wealthy families of the Middle East, who regard London as a safe haven.
The United Arab Emirates warned in a tweet of “a number of attacks on citizens of Arab Gulf states,” and advised Emiratis to avoid “wearing valuable items” that attract attention.
The Omani Embassy said: “A regrettable stabbing attack took place, claiming the life of the Omani student, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Araimi. With great sadness and sorrow, the Embassy in London extends its condolences to the family of the deceased.”
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge said: “The victim and his friend were entirely blameless, simply enjoying a meal out together. It does appear that the motive for this cowardly attack was robbery.”
Mr Al Araimi was among three unconnected killings over 12 hours in London last week.
Anyone with information should call 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
