January 26 – An Egyptian court has sentenced to death 21 people found guilty of involvement in the Port Said soccer stadium disaster in which 74 people died last year. All those sentenced to death are supporters of the Al Masry club.
The sentence sparked fresh violence as while supporters of Al Ahly celebrated, supporters of Al Masry and the accused gathered near the Port Said prison where the prisoners are being held.
Gunshots were heard and at least eight have died, including two police officers. The new violence came after a day of unrest on second anniversary of the otherthrow of Hosni Mubarak amid accusations that President Mohamed Mursi in conjunction with his islamist allies was reimposing authoritarian rule.
Ironiocally, the Port Said stadium ruling is believed by some to likely reduce prospects of further clashes on Egypt’s turbulent streets. Soccer fans and families of those killed had publicly threatened more violence if the punishments did not satisfy them, and many had demanded the accused be executed.
The judge, Sobhy Abdel Maguid, read out a list of 21 names “referred to the Mufti”, a phrase used to denote a death verdict as all such sentences must be reviewed by Egypt’s top religious authority. The verdicts for others accused will be announced on March 9.
Seventy-three people (including nine security officers) were charged with involvement in the February. 1, 2012 disaster where 74 people dies, most crushed when panicked crowds tried to escape the stadium.
Violence at the match between Cairo’s al Ahly and Port Said’s al Masry began minutes after the kick off in Port Said. Fans of al-Masry invaded the pitch, hurling stones and fireworks at visiting supporters al-Ahly.
The violence in Port Said sparked riots in Cairo during which a further 16 people died.
A section of al-Ahly supporters, known as the “ultras”, played a prominent role in the protests against ex-President Mubarak. Some accused supporters of the toppled leader of instigating the Port Said violence. They also accused them of doing little to prevent it.
The Egyptian Premier League has been suspended since February 2012 and a start date for the new season has been delayed on a number occasions but provisionally fixed for February 1, after the court ruling. It is not inconceivable that the start date will be rescheduled again, depending on public order issues in Egypt.
Al Ahly most recently competed in FIFA’s Club World Cup in December in Japan.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734801533labto1734801533ofdlr1734801533owedi1734801533sni@o1734801533fni1734801533