Man, 20, held on student murder

A MAN has been arrested over the Melbourne death of international student Aiia Maasarwe.

The 20-year-old was taken into custody yesterday morning at Greensborough, a northern suburb near where the young woman’s body was found at Bundoora earlier this week.

“Homicide Squad detectives have arrested a man as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of Aiia Maasarwe,” police confirmed in a brief statement.

“The arrest follows an extensive investigation into Aiia’s death.”

Ms Maasarwe, a 21-year-old Palestinian Arab of Israeli citizenship, was found dead on Wednesday morning not far from where she alighted a tram overnight.

Detectives said she had been assaulted and launched a public appeal for information to find her killer.

“Police would like to thank the public for their assistance with the investigation,” they said after yesterday’s arrest.

Relatives described Ms Maasarwe as a beautiful and talented woman.

“Instead of coming home with a diploma, she is coming home in a coffin,” her uncle Abed Kittani told ABC TV.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the death as the “most despicable of crimes”.

“Every woman in Australia, every person in Australia, should be able to travel home in safety,” he told reporters.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews also expressed his sadness.

“She should have been safe here. And I am heartbroken she wasn’t,” Mr Andrews, currently on leave, tweeted.

The first in a number of planned vigils for Ms Maasarwe was held yesterday at La Trobe University, where she attended college.

Later in the day, a silent vigil at Melbourne’s Parliament House was due to honour the exchange student, with participants asked to wear black.

“Aiia Maasarwe was like so many other women and girls – she was out meeting friends, exploring the city, taking in shows – she should’ve been able to do that safely,” said event organiser and feminist writer Karen Pickering

It’s not the first time Victoria has been left reeling by the death of a young woman.

Ms Maasarwe’s death follows the murder of aspiring comedian Eurydice Dixon, 22, last year and previously the deaths of Masa Vukotic, 17, and Jill Meagher, 29.

EVERY WOMAN IN AUSTRALIA, EVERY PERSON IN AUSTRALIA, SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRAVEL HOME IN SAFETY PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON