Egyptian tycoon wins bid to throw out UK lawsuit over singer's murder
Talaat Moustafa, CEO of Talaat Moustafa Group, was convicted in Egypt of paying a former police officer to stab Suzanne Tamim, 30, to death at her luxury apartment in Dubai.
He was initially sentenced to death in 2009, before his conviction was overturned on appeal. Following two retrials, Talaat Moustafa was convicted again and jailed for 15 years. He was pardoned by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in 2017.
Tamim, who rose to fame after winning a television talent show in the 1990s, had been in a relationship with Iraqi-British kickboxer Riyadh Al-Azzawi before she was killed.
Al-Azzawi sued Talaat Moustafa at London's High Court in 2022, seeking damages for the psychological and emotional damage he said he suffered as a result of Tamim's murder.
Talaat Moustafa sought to have the case thrown out, arguing Al-Azzawi's lawyers did not provide all relevant evidence when they were given permission to bring the case and that it should be heard in Dubai, rather than London.
In a ruling dismissing the case on Friday, Judge Christopher Butcher said Al-Azzawi did not disclose relevant information about whether the lawsuit was brought too late when he sought permission to serve the case on Talaat Moustafa in Egypt.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS
Singapore HSA looking to get anti-vape cyber surveillance tool with AI capabilities
Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences
Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student who used AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data
Singapore Former NUH male nurse faces charges after he allegedly molested man at hospital
Singapore Character counts as much as grades, Desmond Lee tells students
Life Kinokuniya opens third bookstore at Raffles City, weeks ahead of schedule
Business DBS shares rally to a new record as STI clocks yet another high
The judge also said that "the courts of Dubai are clearly and distinctly more appropriate" if the case were to proceed.
Talaat Moustafa's English lawyers did not immediately comment. Al-Azzawi's lawyers could not be contacted for comment. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Singapore Law Watch
2 hours ago
- Singapore Law Watch
Investors seek court-ordered judicial management of Tokenize Xchange operator amid police probe
Investors seek court-ordered judicial management of Tokenize Xchange operator amid police probe Source: Straits Times Article Date: 07 Aug 2025 Author: Timothy Goh Hong Qi Yu, a director of AmazingTech, and the founder and chief executive of Tokenize Xchange, was charged in court on July 31 over fraudulent trading under the same Act. Seven cryptocurrency investors have applied to the High Court to place AmazingTech – the operator of embattled cryptocurrency platform Tokenize Xchange – under interim judicial management to protect their investments. If their court application on Aug 5 is successful, the High Court can appoint professional managers to take over the day-to-day running of the company and audit its assets. The Straits Times understands the seven customers have not been able to withdraw their deposits amounting to more than $4 million that are held by Tokenize Xchange. Trading of cryptocurrencies on the platform currently remains suspended. The High Court move by the seven investors comes as AmazingTech and its related entities are under investigation by the police for potential offences of fraudulent trading under the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act. Hong Qi Yu, a director of AmazingTech, and the founder and chief executive of Tokenize Xchange, was charged in court on July 31 over fraudulent trading under the same Act. The seven investors are represented by lawyers Alfred Lim, Jaime Lye and Rasveen Kaur of law firm Meritus. They are asking the High Court to appoint Mr Cameron Lindsay Duncan, Mr David Dong-Won Kim and Mr Joshua Joseph Jeyaraj of corporate advisory and restructuring firm KordaMentha as the judicial managers of AmazingTech. A court hearing has been set for Aug 21. The timeline for a judicial manager to be appointed by the High Court may take up to a few months. Meanwhile, ST understands that another law firm – Dauntless Law Chambers – is assembling more than 100 customers, owed about $40 million by Tokenize Xchange, to file a class action lawsuit against Hong personally for fraud. The Commercial Affairs Department and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said in a statement on Aug 1 that MAS had received several customer complaints against AmazingTech in mid-July about delays in withdrawing monies and digital payment tokens. On July 20, Tokenize Xchange said it would shut down the business following MAS' decision not to grant it a licence to offer digital payment token services here. It was previously operating under an exemption. The company told ST then that its customers in Singapore can no longer buy or sell cryptocurrencies on its platform and may only transfer their cryptocurrency holdings to other exchanges, where they can convert them to cash and make withdrawals. ST understands that withdrawals have been inconsistent, with many investors still unable to access their funds. MAS said in its Aug 1 statement that it found indications that the firm may have made false representations about segregating customer assets when applying for a major payment institution licence. It added that AmazingTech and its activities are not supervised or regulated by MAS and has since referred the case to the Commercial Affairs Department for investigation. ST has contacted Hong for comments, while queries for AmazingTech were unanswered. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
Britain asks China to clarify contested embassy plan
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The project comes as the Labour government is looking to reset long-fraught ties with Beijing. LONDON - The British government on Aug 6 asked China to explain partially redacted plans it has submitted for its new London embassy project, which has fanned worries from residents and human rights advocates. China has sought for several years to move its embassy from the chic Marylebone district to a sprawling historic site in the shadow of the Tower of London. It would be the largest embassy complex in Britain, and the project comes as the Labour government is looking to reset long-fraught ties with Beijing. On Aug 6, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner sent a letter to the firm DP9 that represents the Chinese government, requesting details on some documents transmitted during a public inquiry. Ms Rayner sought in particular details on portions of the plans that had been 'greyed-out' or 'redacted for security reasons'. The letter was published online by Luke de Pulford of the Interparliamentary Alliance on China, an international body, one of its copied recipients. The British government gave China until Aug 20 to respond. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Some ageing condos in Singapore struggle with failing infrastructure, inadequate sinking funds World Trump eyes 100% chips tariff, but 0% for US investors like Apple World White House says Trump open to meeting Russia's Putin and Ukraine's Zelensky Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' Singapore ST Explains: What is a track point fault and why does it cause lengthy train disruptions? Singapore ST and Uniqlo launch design contest for Singapore stories T-shirt collection Sport Son Heung-min joins Los Angeles FC in record MLS deal Singapore S'pore and Indonesia have discussed jointly developing military training facilities: Chan Chun Sing The proposed embassy site, which Beijing bought in 2018 for a reported US$327 million (S$421 million), once housed the Royal Mint. It was earlier home to a Cistercian abbey built in 1348 but is currently derelict. In 2022, the local authority, Tower Hamlets Council, unanimously rejected China's plans, which include designs by the renowned firm David Chipperfield Architects. In July 2024, Beijing resubmitted the proposals almost entirely unchanged. AFP
International Business Times
13 hours ago
- International Business Times
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She Never Saw Trump Doing Anything Concerning Around Her During Interview With DOJ
Jeffrey Epstein's madam, Ghislaine Maxwell, reportedly told Justice Department officials during recent interviews that she never saw President Trump engaging in any troubling behavior. Sources told ABC News that the infamous sex trafficker did not provide any details that could damage Trump's reputation. Maxwell met Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who also previously served as Trump's criminal defense attorney, late last month for more than nine grueling hours. Her lawyer had earlier revealed that Maxwell without hesitations answered all the questions regarding "around 100 different people" as she tries desperately to negotiate a deal with federal authorities to reveal more information and dirty secrets about her late pedophile ex-partner Epstein. Nothing Unnatural About Trump X Trump has consistently denied any prior knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities, maintaining that he ended their relationship years ago. "The deputy attorney general is seeking the truth," her lawyer, David Oscar Markus, said immediately after the sitdown. "He asked every possible question, and he was doing an amazing job." Donald Trump X Markus said that he didn't request anything on Maxwell's behalf — though he admitted that Trump does have the power to grant her a pardon. Following the second day of questioning, her lawyer, David Oscar Markus, stated that they had not formally submitted a pardon request to the White House. Maxwell with Jeffrey Epstein Twitter However, he didn't dismiss the possibility of making such a request later, noting that "things are moving very fast." "Listen, the president this morning said he had the power to do so. We hope he exercises that power in the right and just way," Markus said at the time. Maxwell Trying for Presidential Pardon Markus also said that his client was completely forthcoming during the Justice Department's questioning, which has now been confirmed to have been recorded. He further claimed that Maxwell is being made the "scapegoat" in the Epstein case and has endured "unfair treatment" over the past five years. X Shortly after her meetings with the DOJ, Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for helping Epstein in the sexual abuse of underage girls, was transferred to a comfortable Texas facility often referred to as a "Club Fed." However, DOJ officials have yet to clarify why the disgraced British socialite was moved to a facility usually designated for inmates serving much shorter sentences.
