A man who was allegedly murdered by a north-east offshore worker on a platform off the coast of Qatar has been named as Robert Robson.
Mr Robson, known as Robbie, was killed during a violent incident onboard the Seafox Burj platform in the Persian Gulf on December 12.
Qatari police are continuing to question Scott Forrest, from Maud, who was taken into custody after Mr Robson’s body was discovered hidden in his sleeping quarters.
Mr Robson, 38, from Tyne and Wear, was “tragically taken too soon”, his family said in a statement.
A second man, Chris Begley, 38, from Coatbridge, was allegedly bludgeoned with a metal object – possibly a gas cylinder or pipe – as he entered the room they all shared together.
All three were contractors for Ellon-based company Film-Ocean at the time of the incident.
Family statement
A statement released on behalf of Mr Robson’s family said: “Robbie was an amazing, one-of-a-kind, beautiful soul.
“He was a loving partner, dad, son, brother and uncle who was tragically taken too soon.
“He was an irreplaceable friend to many, and Robbie will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.
“As a family, we request privacy at this time.”
Back home in Scotland, Forrest’s family, who live in Maud and Peterhead, declined to comment on his fate.
Murderers are commonly hanged in Qatar but victims’ families are also able to play a part in deciding a killer’s punishment.
“The sentence would be to execute him but, if the family of the murdered person forgives the one who did the act, the sentence would go down,” a Qatari lawyer told the Press and Journal.
But Forrest’s case hasn’t yet reached that stage.
The former student of Banff and Buchan College as well as North East Scotland College remains in custody overseas.
After a person is arrested in Qatar, the police have 48 hours before they must hand them over to the prosecutor who represents the Attorney General.
A Qatari lawyer, who asked to remain anonymous, explained: “The prosecutor’s role – similar to in the UK – is to work with the police to collect information and find out if this man committed a crime.
“He is representing the victim. He can bring witnesses and ask for any information that will establish if there was a criminal act.
“The prosecutor has the right to keep him in for a maximum of eight days.
“If they still feel they need to finish the investigation, they send the case to a judge and the judge will extend custody for maybe a week or a month until things become clear for the prosecutor.
“Once evidence has been completed, the prosecutor will refer the matter to the criminal court.”
