Region | Egypt
Egypt tightens security for judges in Tamim trial
Egyptian authorities have tightened security for three judges who sentenced a business tycoon and an ex-policeman to death after finding them guilty of involvement in the murder of Lebanese singer Suzan Tamim, according to security sources.
- By Ramadan Al Sherbini, Correspondent
- Published: 23:09 May 26, 2009
Cairo: Egyptian authorities have tightened security for three judges who sentenced a business tycoon and an ex-policeman to death after finding them guilty of involvement in the murder of Lebanese singer Suzan Tamim, according to security sources.
On Thursday a criminal court in Cairo condemned to death Hesham Talaat Mustafa, one of Egypt's top real estate developers, and Mohassen Al Sukkari, a former policeman.
It cited evidence that Mustafa, an ex-MP and a politician in President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party, had ordered Al Sukkari to kill the singer for $2 million (Dh7.34 million).
Presiding Judge Mohammadi Qunsou told a packed courtroom that the ruling will be referred to Egypt's Mufti [the country's top Muslim authority] to ratify before the final verdict is pronounced on June 25.
The singer's body was found in a luxury apartment in Dubai in July 2008.
Mustafa had an affair with Suzan for three years, according to local media reports.
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Sources at the Ministry of the Interior said this week that tightening security for Chief Judge Qunsou and his other two colleagues is normal until the final verdict is issued next month.
"Police guards are assigned escorting the three judges wherever they go," added the sources.
"Under the Egyptian law, the panel of judges who heard a lawsuit are the ones who must pass the final ruling without any change," said Saber Ghallab, the chief judge of the Appeals Court.
"In case any member of the judicial panel does not show up for any reason during the pronouncement of the final verdict, the law invalidates the ruling and the whole case must be re-heard."
Lawyers for the two defendants in the case have said they will appeal.
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