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Egypt court backs Port Said football riot death sentences | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A court in Egypt has upheld 21 death sentences handed down over deadly football riots in Port Said, amid continuing unrest over the trial. | |
Five of 52 other defendants were sentenced to life in prison for rioting while others received lesser sentences or were acquitted. | |
During last year's violence between rival fans, 74 people died. | |
The military has been patrolling the coastal city this weekend in an effort to ease tension. | |
Elsewhere, at least 10 of Egypt's 29 provinces were affected by an unprecedented strike by thousands of low-ranking police. Some units reportedly left their headquarters after sealing them with chains. | Elsewhere, at least 10 of Egypt's 29 provinces were affected by an unprecedented strike by thousands of low-ranking police. Some units reportedly left their headquarters after sealing them with chains. |
They were protesting against being forced by the government of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi to confront protesters as well as a lack of protection from prosecution. | They were protesting against being forced by the government of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi to confront protesters as well as a lack of protection from prosecution. |
The chief of security forces was replaced on Friday to try to defuse anger among police. | The chief of security forces was replaced on Friday to try to defuse anger among police. |
Tense week | |
The court was sitting in the capital Cairo, for security reasons. | |
After word spread that the defendants were being moved outside Port Said, the city saw six days of clashes between police and protesters around the security headquarters. | After word spread that the defendants were being moved outside Port Said, the city saw six days of clashes between police and protesters around the security headquarters. |
At least seven people - civilians and security officials - were killed. | At least seven people - civilians and security officials - were killed. |
The original death sentences imposed on the 21 defendants in January sparked a revolt in Port Said, where many residents saw the trial as unjust and politically biased. | |
Most of the victims in last year's riots were supporters of Cairo's al-Ahly club. | |
There has been widespread antagonism towards the police since the mass protests which brought down former President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011. | There has been widespread antagonism towards the police since the mass protests which brought down former President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011. |
And many people believe police in Port Said stood by in revenge for the fans' role in anti-Mubarak unrest. Police deny the accusation. |