CAIRO , Egypt -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An Egyptian real estate mogul and a former police officer pleaded not guilty Saturday to the murder of a rising Lebanese pop singer who was found slain in her United Arab Emirates apartment . Lebanese singer Suzanne Tamim was found slain in her apartment in Dubai in July . Prosecutors allege that Hisham Talaat Moustafa , a Parliament member for the ruling National Democratic Party , paid Muhsen el Sukkari $ 2 million to kill Suzanne Tamim . Both have denied the charges . Tamim , 30 , was found in her Dubai apartment in July with her throat slit . Moustafa 's lawyer told CNN his client loved the singer , but could not take Tamim as a second wife because his family objected . Polygamy is legal in Egypt , and it not unusual for men -- such as Moustafa , a married father of three -- to take on additional wives . The prosecutors say the murder was a '' means of taking revenge '' but have not elaborated . Watch report on murder trial '' `` It did not happen and I have presented all the evidence that I am not guilty , '' Moustafa said in the courtroom Saturday , according to Reuters . `` It did not happen , '' Sukkari said , according to Reuters . `` By Almighty God , my blood is innocent of her . '' Although Tamim was killed in the United Arab Emirates , the Egyptian judiciary is trying the case in Cairo because Egyptian law does not allow its citizens to be extradited for trials in other countries . The defendants appeared Saturday in cages -- as is typical in Egypt -- before three judges in a crowded downtown courtroom . Heavy security surrounded the building , amid a crush of reporters and onlookers . The case , with its high-profile victim and defendant , has captivated Egypt and the region . After his arrest in September , Egyptian authorities indicted Moustafa , stripped him of his parliamentary immunity and jailed him pending trial . He also resigned as chairman of Talaat Moustafa Group -- a conglomerate with construction and real estate arms that was founded by his father , Talaat Moustafa . Moustafa 's brother , Tarek Talaat Moustafa , now chairs the company . The case will resume on November 15 . The defendants will remain jailed until then .