Tamim suspect faces illicit sex charge in Dubai

In an interesting development in the Suzan Tamim murder case, Dubai Public Prosecution on Tuesday charged the main suspect with having illicit relations with an Azerbaijani visitor, opening a case registered in 2005.

Egyptian suspect Mohsin Al Sukkari, who has emerged as the main suspect in the killing of Tamim, a well known Lebanese singer on July 27, was charged on Tuesday at the Dubai Criminal Court with the offense allegedly committed three years ago.
According to court records, Al Sukkari and the 21-year-old suspect, who was identified as Alexandra K, were detained at the Jebel Ali police station on August 3, 2005.

Three years later, the prosecution filed a case against the two on August 5, days after Tamim was found dead in her flat at Jumeirah Beach Residence on July 27.
The prosecution did not state the reasons for the delay in the court trial.

On Tuesday's court hearing, Alexandra pleaded guilty to having an illicit relationship with the Egyptian suspect but denied the charge of prostitution.

Judge Saeed Salim Bin Sarm of Dubai's Criminal Courts told XPRESS that a verdict will be announced on October 21 in the case and Al Sukkari will receive his sentence, if found guilty, in absentia.

Al Sukkari is detained in Egypt where he is being investigated for the murder of the Lebanese star. He was arrested after a joint probe by investigators in Dubai and their Egyptian counterparts.