Muslim businessman on trial for having too many wives

The trial of a wealthy conservative Muslim businessman accused of having more than four wives at the same time began yesterday in Cairo amid a declaration of eternal love from an ex-wife and assertions from in-laws that he was the man of every woman's dreams.

Prosecutors say Ragab al-Suweirky, 56, is a polygamist who distorted the truth over his marital status to live a life of sin. Defence lawyers say the case against Mr Suweirky is an attempt to destroy a business empire owned by a devout believer.

The trial has riveted Egypt with its tales of wedding night divorces and brief unions in a country where anything to do with sex is whispered. Mr Suweirky does not remember if he has had 17 or 20 wives.

Scores of supporters mobbed him yesterday as police escorted him to the caged dock in a Cairo court. Mr Suweirky smiled and raised a hand in greeting. He has been in detention since 6 May. "They wanted to find something against me, but they didn't so they started investigating my legitimate affairs," he said. "Everything I did was sanctioned by Islam."

Muhammad Abdullah, for the prosecution, read out the charges against Mr Suweirky: withholding information about his marital status, tricking a woman into having illicit sex ­ a complaint that's tantamount to rape ­ and on three occasions having one wife more than the four wives sanctioned by Islamic law. Mr Abdullah added a new charge: falsifying marriage documents to show Mr Suweirky was married to fewer than four women.

"Thus he lived as a husband with these women and they thought they were surrendering themselves to a legitimate husband," Mr Abdullah said. "He has to remain behind bars since even from his cell he's trying to distort the truth."

Yusri Saro, for the defence, said the real reason for the prosecution was a conspiracy to close down the 48 branches of his popular clothing stores. "There are secular and leftist waves in Egypt that are fighting the Islamic trends and don't like the idea of a conservative Muslim being successful."

The trial was adjourned until 18 August. Mr Suweirky was refused bail. (AP)