Egyptian court confirms death sentences given to 21 football fans for role in stadium riot as rival supporters torch game’s HQ
Worldwide, Daily news | ankakh | March 9, 2013 21:35
Fans of Cairo’s Al-Ahly club have stormed Egypt’s Soccer Federation headquarters and and set it on fire in anger after a court acquitted seven of nine police officials on trial for their alleged role in the Port Said stadium riot last year.
The Egyptian interior ministry declared a state of emergency amid claims that jihadists could attack police, according to the state news agency.
Earlier today, a court in the city upheld the death sentences given to 21 football fans for their parts in the riot, which claimed 74 lives and left 1,000 people injured.
The court also sentenced two senior police officers to 15 years in prison, but acquitted the other seven security officials.
Thousands of the club’s fans had gathered to welcome the death penalty verdicts, mostly given to fans of rival club Al-Masry, who started the riot.
In a ruling shown on live television, the Cairo court also sentenced five more people to life in jail for their roles in the riot and acquitted 28. The remaining defendants received shorter jail sentences of between one to 15 years.
The court also sentenced the city’s former security chief, Major General Essam Samak, to 15 years in prison.
Those sentenced to death, mostly fans of Port Said’s Al-Masry club, will be hanged.
Many residents of Port Said, which is located on the Mediterranean at the northern tip of the Suez Canal, have seen the trial as unjust and politicised.
Football fans in the city have felt that authorities were biased in favor of Al-Ahly, Egypt’s most powerful club.
At least eight people have been killed in Port Said this week, including three policemen.
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