Many who have followed the case of the singer Suzanne Tamim and were present in the court, expected the death sentence to be issued against Mohsen Alsukari and the same penalty or slightly less "life sentence" for the second defendant, businessman Hisham Talaat Mustafa. This is what many had expected, including the distinguished journalist and colleague Yosri Al-Badri, who attended all sessions of the trial. However, it seems that the only one who did not expect this ruling was the famous lawyer, Farid El-Deeb. He reflected his expectations of the outcome to Hisham Talaat and his family, to the extent that they were prepared for celebrations of innocence.
Therefore, El-Deeb came out on El-Beit Beitak television program, 'Make Yourself at Home', readdressing the case whilst mocking Chancellor Mohammedi Alqunsuwa by accusing him of ending neutrality, transparency and purity. These accusations raised the resentment of whoever watched or heard about this television program broadcast. El-Deeb is undoubtedly one of the brightest lawyers in Egypt. He gets paid millions of Egyptian pounds, or US dollars in cases such as these. He is also a previous legal man who knows that the judges cannot be questioned in the relationship of a counsel to a judge because judges and lawyers are inevitably linked by fellowship in study and work, therefore allowing a judge to befriend a lawyer. The famous lawyer said the incident occurred during the court sessions. Chancellor Qunsuwa said he did not know this lawyer and can find no embarrassment in the case.
During the case Eldeeb could have investigated to find evidence that proved a relationship between the judge and the case. This would have enabled him to take legal action through the court's response, where the matter would have come before another Chamber of the Court to consider its integrity. If the accusations had been found correct the courts would continue to question the impartiality of this between the considered judge and the case.
However, El-Deeb did not do so. He continued to defend his client until a verdict was issued. He later called into question the impartiality of the Judge only after the verdict was not ruled in his favor. He should not have done this or dealt with the issue whilst the case was still in session, especially since El-Deeb is a former member of the judiciary and he knows the seriousness of this matter. If the famous lawyer did not take this action during the trial, despite the conviction, he may have committed a serious breach of his client's right. As for what he raised after the decision was, in my opinion, a clear and obvious retaliation. El-Deeb's defense program on El-Beit Beitak television program was a defense of himself; his reputation and professionalism and was not in defense of his client Hisham Talaat Mustafa.
■ If the violations had taken place on a private satellite channel in front of the whole world it would talk about the prestige of the judiciary, the media code of ethics and the law of satellite transmission thus charges could reach breach of the public peace and the destruction of social peace. But since it was on Egyptian television no one has spoken of the marriage between money and power or the management of public utilities as private properties!
