Unrest In Egypt Over Port Said Football Riot Sentences
https://nigeriaafrica1.blogspot.com/2013/03/unrest-in-egypt-over-port-said-football.html
Rival football fans in Egypt have protested over sentences handed down over riots at a match in Port Said in February last year.
The court upheld 21 death sentences and handed down prison terms to other defendants over the violence, which claimed 74 lives.
Most victims were supporters of a Cairo team, and fans there criticised the sentencing for not going far enough.
In Port Said, fans of the local team accused the court of unfairness.
Many people believe police in the city stood by during the rioting in revenge for the role of football supporters in the unrest which toppled Hosni Mubarak as president a year before. Police deny the accusation.
Ahead of Saturday's sentencing, the army assumed policing in Port Said, which saw fresh unrest last week.
Police in at least 10 of Egypt's 29 provinces have been holding an unprecedented strike in protest at being used by the government of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi to confront protesters.
Most victims were supporters of a Cairo team, and fans there criticised the sentencing for not going far enough.
In Port Said, fans of the local team accused the court of unfairness.
Many people believe police in the city stood by during the rioting in revenge for the role of football supporters in the unrest which toppled Hosni Mubarak as president a year before. Police deny the accusation.
Ahead of Saturday's sentencing, the army assumed policing in Port Said, which saw fresh unrest last week.
Police in at least 10 of Egypt's 29 provinces have been holding an unprecedented strike in protest at being used by the government of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi to confront protesters.
