Hisham Talaat Moustafa is a very big and very rich fish in Egypt, and he discovered that what happens in Dubai doesn't stay there. In an impressive example of police work, the Dubai police provided extensive evidence to establish the responsibility of the tycoon for the murder of his former girlfriend, the pop singer Suzanne Tamim. The actual killing was done by a retired Egyptian cop who left enough physical evidence to make for an open and shut case. Moustafa's role in hiring the killer was captured on tapped phone conversations. Both men were convicted of murder and sentenced to hang, a novel example of the rich and powerful dancing for their crimes.
Yesterday, the appeals court ordered a new trial. Let's just say the odor is not pleasant, especially given what seems to have been compelling and extensive evidence presented during the trial. This will be a case to watch.