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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Egypt court backs Port Said football riot death sentences | Egypt court backs Port Said football riot death sentences |
| (8 days later) | |
| A court in Egypt has upheld 21 death sentences handed down to fans over deadly football riots in Port Said, amid continuing unrest. | A court in Egypt has upheld 21 death sentences handed down to fans over deadly football riots in Port Said, amid continuing 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. | Locals accuse the Cairo court of leniency towards the police over the riots, in which 74 people died. |
| Rival protests are reported in both Port Said and the capital. | Rival protests are reported in both Port Said and the capital. |
| In Port Said, demonstrators tried to disrupt car ferry traffic across the Suez Canal while in Cairo, a police social club was set on fire. | In Port Said, demonstrators tried to disrupt car ferry traffic across the Suez Canal while in Cairo, a police social club was set on fire. |
| Fans of the two rival football teams, Port Said's al-Masry and Cairo's al-Ahly, responded angrily to the verdicts for different reasons. | Fans of the two rival football teams, Port Said's al-Masry and Cairo's al-Ahly, responded angrily to the verdicts for different reasons. |
| The army is patrolling Port Said instead of the police in an effort to ease tension. | The army is patrolling Port Said instead of the police 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' | 'Politicised' |
| Confirming the capital punishment sentences, Judge Sobhi Abdel-Maguid specified "the death penalty by hanging". | Confirming the capital punishment sentences, Judge Sobhi Abdel-Maguid specified "the death penalty by hanging". |
| In addition | In addition |
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| The court's verdicts, broadcast live on TV, were greeted with suspicion and anger in Port Said. | The court's verdicts, broadcast live on TV, were greeted with suspicion and anger in Port Said. |
| Some demonstrators tried to block the canal by untying speedboats and setting them adrift while others sought to interrupt car ferry traffic. | Some demonstrators tried to block the canal by untying speedboats and setting them adrift while others sought to interrupt car ferry traffic. |
| 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." | 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 Morsi of trying to placate fans of al-Ahly, who are known as the Ultras. | He accused President Morsi of trying to placate fans of al-Ahly, who are known as the Ultras. |
| Most of the victims in last year's riots were supporters of the team. | Most of the victims in last year's riots were supporters of the team. |
| Ultras initially cheered Saturday's verdicts but there was anger that they had not gone far enough. | Ultras initially cheered Saturday's verdicts but there was anger that they had not gone far enough. |
| As fans headed for a rally in their stadium, the main social club of the interior ministry was set on fire. | As fans headed for a rally in their stadium, the main social club of the interior ministry was set on fire. |
| Tense week | Tense week |
| The court sat in Cairo for security reasons. | The court sat in 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. | Many people believe police in Port Said stood by in revenge for the fans' role in anti-Mubarak unrest. Police deny the accusation. |