Sven Badzak: Rashi Gedel charged with London murder of 22-year-old

A 20-year-old man has been charged with the murder of aspiring lawyer Sven Badzak in London last month, Scotland Yard has said.

Badzak was stabbed to death on 6 February in Kilburn, north-west London, after leaving his home to go to the shops.

The Met Police announced on Thursday that Rashid Gedel, 20, had been arrested on Wednesday over Badzak’s murder.

The 20-year-old, from Ilford in east London, appeared at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. This will be followed by a case hearing at the Central Criminal Court on 15 March.

Last month, the aspiring lawyer was the victim of an unprovoked attack from six men outside a bagel shop, where he had been waiting with a 16-year-old friend.

During the assault, Badzak became separated from his friend and was stabbed numerous times after falling to the ground.

His friend also suffered multiple stab injuries but escaped to a shop in Willesden Lane, before being taken to hospital for treatment. He is now said to be recovering.

Soon after the murder, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Wrigley described the fatal attack as “unprovoked”. “It happened very, very quickly and Sven and his young friend were attacked for no reason that we know of at this time,” he said.

It is not thought that Badzak or his friend knew their attackers.

Four people were arrested in connection with the case in February and were later released on bail. A fifth person was detained last week.

Jasna Badzak, the victim’s mother, said last month that her son had a degree in sociology from the University of Roehampton and had wanted to become a lawyer.

“He was beloved by everybody. He always asked people how their day was, how their family is, if he could do something for them,” she told the MyLondon local news site.