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Egypt court backs Port Said football riot death sentences | Egypt court backs Port Said football riot death sentences |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A court in Egypt has upheld 21 death sentences handed down to fans over deadly football riots in Port Said, amid fears of new unrest. | |
Five of 52 other defendants were sentenced to life in prison for rioting while others received lesser sentences or were acquitted. | Five of 52 other defendants were sentenced to life in prison for rioting while others received lesser sentences or were acquitted. |
Locals accuse the Cairo court of leniency towards the police over the riots, in which 74 people died. | |
A crowd gathered in Port Said to protest at the verdicts. | |
Fans of the Port Said team, al-Masry, were also said to be planning a demonstration at the city's stadium. | |
The military has been patrolling the coastal city this weekend in an effort to ease tension. | 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. |
'Politicised' | |
Confirming the capital punishment sentences, Judge Sobhi Abdel-Maguid specified "the death penalty by hanging". | |
In addition | |
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The court's verdicts, broadcast live on TV, were greeted with suspicion and anger in Port Said, local media reported. | |
Bloggers say a crowd of demonstrators has been moving in the direction of the Suez Canal. | |
El-Sayed Hafez, a retired resident of the city, told the al-Ahram newspaper: "The verdict is politicised... only two of the police officers were convicted." | |
He accused President Mohammed Morsi of trying to placate fans of the Cairo team, al-Ahly, who are known as the Ultras. | |
Most of the victims in last year's riots were Ultras. | |
According to the newspaper, Ultras greeted Saturday's verdicts with mixed feelings, with some unhappy they did not go far enough. | |
Tense week | Tense week |
The court was sitting in the capital Cairo, for security reasons. | 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. | 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. |
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. |
Many people believe police in Port Said stood by in revenge for the fans' role in anti-Mubarak unrest. Police deny the accusation. |