Egypt football riot death sentences upheld

Eleven defendants in a 2012 Egyptian football stadium riot in which 74 people were killed have had their death sentences upheld by an Egyptian court.





The Court of Cassation on Monday rejected their final appeal. It also confirmed a 12-year-sentence for five defendants, including the Port Said police chief and other security officials.

Another 20 were acquitted. Charges varied between premeditated and attempted murder, theft and vandalism.

In February 2012, riots erupted at the end of a league match in the Mediterranean city of Port Said between Cairo's Al-Ahly, Egypt's most successful club, and home side Al-Masry.

Most of the victims belonged to Al-Ahly's "Ultras," an association of hard-core fans now banned by authorities.

The riot led to the suspension of Egypt's top soccer league for over a year.


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Source: AAP



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