Homicide trial under way in Tamim's death

CAIRO, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Prosecutors alleged Saturday during the first day of a homicide trial in Egypt that the defendants orchestrated Lebanese singer Suzanne Tamim's death.

CNN reported prosecutors have accused real estate mogul Hisham Talaat Moustafa and former police officer Muhsen el Sukkari of taking part in the July killing of the pop star in the United Arab Emirates.

Tamim was found with her throat slit in her apartment in the Middle Eastern federation and prosecutors have since linked her death to the two defendants.

Prosecutors have alleged Moustafa hired el Sukkari to kill Tamim, paying the former police officer $2 million.

Tamim allegedly had been Moustafa mistress.

CNN said Moustafa is a member of the Egyptian Parliament and belongs to the country's ruling National Democratic Party.