Tunisian man arrested for suspected murder of student in London: report

• Maher Maaroufe arrested for suspected murder of Sabita Thanwani.
• The incident took place at student accommodation in London.
• “Sabita's family have been updated with this development," say police.

A man of Tunisian origin was arrested in London on the suspicion of murdering and assaulting a 19-year-old student in the British capital, The National reported Monday.

The 22-year-old Maher Maaroufe was detained Sunday after the student, Sabita Thanwani, died at student accommodation in London's Clerkenwell district.

“I would like to thank everyone for publicising and sharing our appeal to trace Maaroufe,” Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Linda Bradley, who is leading the investigation, said according to the publication.

“Sabita's family have been updated with this development and continue to be supported by specially trained officers. Our deepest condolences are with them," Bradley said.

“I would ask everyone to respect their privacy at this indescribably devastating time for them as they come to terms with Sabita's murder.”

The incident

Police were called at a student accommodation building called Arbour House Sunday morning after it emerged that Thanwani, a British national, was injured.

The 22-year-old, who was a psychology student at City, University of London, suffered serious neck injuries, according to the publication. The medics arrived and tried to save her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Later, London police identified Maaroufe as a suspect and also released images in their bid to hunt him.