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'One of the Arabs was laughing,' witness tells murder trial

Summary

During a melee in Finsbury Park, a 17‑year‑old accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Azzam Raguragui testified that he heard one of the deceased's friends laugh on the phone after the fatal stabbing. He described the victim's friends as "Arabs" and said that after the victim was stabbed twice in the leg, a friend laughed, saying "Azzam got stabbed." The witness, who is a minor, also recounted that the victim was stabbed five times and that the fight began after a punch from a member of the victim's group. He saw the victim running toward the accused, then on the ground kicking at him while the accused held a knife. The witness said he heard the victim say, "Remember my face," to the accused. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve. The unnamed 17-year-old pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'One of the Arabs was laughing,' witness tells murder trial. Charges or matters: manslaughter but not guilty to the murder of 18-year-old Azzam Raguragui at Finsbury Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14 on May 10, 2019. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• May 10, 2019 Other
• 2020-09-09 Publication

Why: The witness, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, told James Dwyer SC for the prosecution that after the fight broke out he saw Azzam Raguragui being stabbed twice in the leg. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report