Football Fans in Cairo cheer the verdicts in the Port Said Riot case. (BBC)
A fresh round of violence spread through Egypt today, leaving at least 30 people dead in the aftermath of the verdicts against the defendants in the Port Said Soccer riot case. Last February riots broke out in Port Said after a league clash between local club al-Masry and Cairo based club al Ahly. 74 people died in the violence at the soccer pitch, and the violence in turn caused more riots back in Cairo resulting in the death of 16 more people.
On Saturday the Egyptian court handed down verdicts and sentences in the case. Twenty-one individuals were sentenced to death. Seventy-Five people were charged with premeditated murder, while 9 police officers and 3 al-Masry officials were charged with assisting the murders. Some of the alleged behavior included purposefully not confiscating weapons and turning off the lights above the visiting stands to facilitate the violence. The police were also charged with knowing about the planned violence beforehand.
Saturday in Port Said, much of the violence occurred when crowds, including relatives of the condemned, attempted to storm the prison to free their kin. This was according to Egyptian Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Osama Ismail.
The experience in Cairo was quite different, as pictured above. Supporters of al Ahly gathered outside their local ground to celebrate the verdicts and remember the loss of their loved ones and friends. CNN quotes a woman from Cairo as saying:
"I finally felt that I am in a civilized country. My son (did) nothing wrong. But my son's legacy will live on, because of the true justice served here."
Violence has consumed Egypt more and more in recent days as Egyptians have taken to the streets on the 2nd anniversary of their popular uprising with saw former President Mubarak removed from power. In recent weeks the public has seemed to grow increasingly dissatisfied in their new government, largely run by the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Puddle offers sincere condolences to those who have lost friends and family in the violence surrounding the Port Said case. It's yet another case of a major black mark on the beautiful game, inflicted by so called "supporters" who are most likely just looking for a reason to start a brawl.
Check out the complete CNN story here.
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