Arrest Made In Tamim Murder

Egyptian authorities arrested business tycoon Hisham Talaat Mustafa September 2 in connection with the decapitation murder of Lebanese pop singer Suzanne Tamim at her Dubai apartment July 28.

Mustafa, a member of Egypt’s ruling National Democratic Party and head of Talaat Mustafa Group real estate company, is accused of paying former police officer Mahmoud el-Sukkary to follow Tamim from London to Dubai. The alleged hit man gained entry into Tamim’s apartment by posing as a real estate agent, then stabbed and decapitated her, according to chief prosecutor Abdel-Maguid Mahmoud.

The 30-year-old singer’s death prompted Egyptian media to speculate that Mustafa, a married father of three, was romantically involved with Tamim before chief prosecutor Mahmoud ordered a ban on publishing stories about the ongoing investigation.

The stock value of Mustafa’s real estate conglomerate is said to have plummeted as a result of the scandal.

Tamim rose to fame in 1996 after winning a Lebanese talent show but her career was overshadowed by two high-profile divorces and a troubled private life.