Man accused of murdering student near Harrods for his £34,000 Patek Philippe watch says he stabbed him by accident after victim, 20, cursed him in Arabic

A man accused of murdering a student near Harrods said he only killed him accidentally after he was cursed in Arabic, a court has heard.

Kuwaiti citizen Badir Al-Nazi, 24, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Omani student Mohammed Al-Araimi, 20, who was fatally stabbed in an alleyway in Knightsbridge on December 5 2019.

He is accused of trying to steal Mr Al-Araimi's £34,000 Patek Philippe watch in the attack.

Al-Nazi said he did not realise he had stabbed Mr Al-Araimi at the time, telling jurors at Inner London Crown Court that he had wanted an apology after an Arabic insult was shouted at him when he asked for a cigarette.

King's College student Mr Al-Araimi had been out for dinner and was walking with his friend Nasser Kanoo, now 22, when they were attacked from behind.

Mohammed Al-Araimi , 20,was wearing a Patek Phillipe watch worth £34,460 when he was killed near Harrods on December 5, 2019

Al-Nazi and German national Arseboon Dilbaro, 23, are on trial charged with the murder of Mr Al-Araimi and wounding Mr Kanoo with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

The pair are also charged with attempted robbery, accused of trying to rob the victims who were wearing expensive watches worth more than £40,000.

The prosecution has alleged that Al-Nazi and Dilbaro had gone out that night looking for a victim or victims to rob.

The jury has heard that Mr Al-Araimi was wearing a Patek Philippe watch with an estimated value of £34,000, while Mr Kanoo was wearing a Rolex worth about £7,000.

But Al-Nazi said he did not see the men's watches, did not ask to look at their watches and did not even know they were wearing watches.

'I asked them for a cigarette,' he told the court, adding that he thought he saw one of them smoking.

Al-Nazi said: 'I remember saying 'Excuse me, do you have a cigarette?''

He told the court he asked the question in English and received a response in Arabic from Mr Al-Araimi.

Al-Nazi said the response was a common Arabic insult which the court was told translates as: 'Go away and may your father be cursed.'

Mr Al-Armani was second-year King's College student, who lived in London while studying politics and economics. Pictured: The murder scene outside Harrods, London

He was asked if he felt insulted and he replied: 'Course I did.'

He told jurors he did not respond to the comment, adding that he and Dilbaro discussed whether they should confront the men about the insult.

'We were going to ask them to apologise,' he said.

Jurors heard that Mr Al-Araimi spat towards Al-Nazi.

The defendant told the court he put his hand out in an attempt to stop him walking any further, and said Mr Al-Araimi punched him 'at least twice' in the face.

Al-Nazi, who has pleaded guilty to having a knife, said it was inside his jacket pocket at this point.

He told jurors he carried a knife to 'protect myself' as he had been stabbed in the past.

He said he had nerve damage in his arm after being stabbed with a bottle in 2013.

Al-Nazi said he got hold of his knife and swung his arm towards Mr Al-Araimi using his fist, adding that he did not know the knife made contact with him.

He said that due to the injury in his arm he 'can't do much with it', which is why he carries a knife.

He said he thought Mr Al-Araimi 'saw the knife and ran away'.

Jurors have heard that Mr Al-Araimi collapsed near the Harrods Christmas tree and was pronounced dead 40 minutes after the attack.

Al-Nazi told the court: 'I can't even describe how emotional I am.'

He told jurors he feels sad for Mr Al-Araimi's family.

The court heard Al-Nazi handed himself in on January 8 2020, and even by that date had not realised he had stabbed Mr Al-Araimi.

Giving evidence on Thursday, Al-Nazi was asked if he had intended to stab, kill or cause serious harm to Mr Al-Araimi and he said he had not.

He was asked if he accepted that he killed Mr Al-Araimi and he said he did.

When asked if he had discussed anything with Dilbaro about robbing anyone that night, Al-Nazi said he had not.

He said his plan for the night had been to 'eat, meet up with other friends and just have fun'.

The trial has previously heard evidence from Mr Kanoo who was asked about the cigarette request and subsequent insult suggested by Al-Nazi.

Mr Kanoo said he did not think it was true.

He told the court the attack was 'very sudden' and that there was a 'quick approach' and a 'quick attack'.

The court heard that Mr Al-Araimi was confronted but there had been no conversation.

During his evidence, Mr Kanoo described his late friend Mr Al-Araimi as the 'nicest guy' and 'a very generous person'.

Dilbaro is also accused of having a knife on the night of the attack.

The trial continues.