(MENAFN- The Peninsula) An Egyptian court Tuesday upheld death sentences against 11 football fans over a February 2012 riot in the eastern city of Port Said that cost the lives of 74 people.
The riot, the country's deadliest sports-related unrest, broke out when fans of home team Al-Masry and Cairo's Al-Ahly clashed after a premier league match between the two clubs.
A Cairo criminal court confirmed the sentences handed down in April against 11 Al-Masry fans, one of whom is a fugitive, after consulting the grand mufti, the government interpreter of Islamic law who plays an advisory role.
The court also sentenced two police officers, including then Port Said police chief Essam Samak, and two Al-Masry club officials to five years in jail.
Twenty-one defendants, including seven police officers and one an Al-Masry official, were acquitted. The remainder were handed jail terms of between one and 15 years.
Tuesday's sentence can still be appealed before the cassation court.
Families of the victims expressed dismay after the verdict.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.