The head chef of a prominent restaurant and an exclusive club in Dubai is in critical condition following an attack near the Notting Hill Carnival in London, as reported by UK media. Mussie Imnetu, 41, was discovered unconscious with a severe head injury late Monday night in Queensway. He was promptly taken to a hospital where he is currently fighting for his life.
Police have detained a 31-year-old man from Newham on suspicion of attempted murder. The suspect is being held at a South London police station. Imnetu’s family is receiving support from specialist officers as the investigation progresses, according to media reports. The Metropolitan Police are requesting public assistance to reconstruct the events leading up to the attack.
Detective chief inspector Brian Howie, from the Met’s Homicide Command, stated that they are still attempting to trace Imnetu’s movements between 1pm, when he departed The Arts Club in Mayfair, and 10.30pm, when he arrived at the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway. Imnetu, a Swedish national residing in Dubai, was in London on business. He served as the head chef at The Brasserie in The Arts Club Dubai, and had previously worked at prestigious London establishments, including Oblix at The Shard and The Savoy Grill.
According to The Arts Club Dubai’s website, he had also trained under renowned chefs such as Alain Ducasse, Gordon Ramsay, and Marcus Wareing. The police are urging anyone who was in the area between 10pm and 11:30 pm on Monday, or who may have images or videos from that time, to come forward. Imnetu’s photos have been released in hopes of jogging memories that might assist the investigation.
Despite the arrest, authorities are still eager to speak with witnesses of the attack. Customers at the venue reportedly attempted to intervene, and police are requesting them to provide any details that could aid the investigation. The incident took place on a day when 230 people were arrested at Notting Hill Carnival. Five people were stabbed, two of whom are in life-threatening condition. The Arts Club has declined to comment on the situation.
