The Court of Cassation will announce on Thursday morning its verdict on an appeal by business tycoon Hisham Talaat Mostafa and former State Security officer Mohsen el-Sokkari. Both defendants have appealed their death sentences after being convicted in the murder of Lebanese singer Suzanne Tamim. If the appeal is denied, the death sentence will be final. If accepted, Mustafa and el-Sokkari will be retried before a new criminal court. Mostafa's defense lawyers obtained permission for 20 members of his family to attend the verdict session, while el-Sokkari's family got three permits for his father, brother and a third relative. Al-Masry Al-Youm has learned that Mostafa's lawyers, accompanied by his wife and sister, visited him at the Tura prison following his request. Mustafa has expressed his desire to attend the upcoming session, but his lawyers have advised against it, arguing that his presence will only benefit the media. The court has asked media outlets to obtain advance permission to cover Thursday's session. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
