Egypt court backs Port Said football riot death sentences


Troops are keeping order in Port Said




A court in Egypt has upheld 21 death sentences handed down over deadly football riots in Port Said, amid continuing unrest over the trial.
Five of 52 other defendants were sentenced to life in prison for rioting while others received lesser sentences or were acquitted.
During last year's violence between rival fans, 74 people died.
The military has been patrolling the coastal city this weekend in an effort to ease tension.
Elsewhere, at least 10 of Egypt's 29 provinces were affected by an unprecedented strike by thousands of low-ranking police. Some units reportedly left their headquarters after sealing them with chains.
They were protesting against being forced by the government of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi to confront protesters as well as a lack of protection from prosecution.
The chief of security forces was replaced on Friday to try to defuse anger among police.

Tense week

Confirming the capital punishment sentences, the judge specified "the death penalty by hanging".
Port Said stadium security chief Essam Eddin Samak was sentenced to 15 years in jail.
Other defendants received terms of 15, 10 or five years while 28 of the accused walked free.
The court was sitting in the capital Cairo, for security reasons.

After word spread that the defendants were being moved outside Port Said, the city saw six days of clashes between police and protesters around the security headquarters.
At least seven people - civilians and security officials - were killed.
The original death sentences imposed on the 21 defendants in January sparked a revolt in Port Said, where many residents saw the trial as unjust and politically biased.
Most of the victims in last year's riots were supporters of Cairo's al-Ahly club.
There has been widespread antagonism towards the police since the mass protests which brought down former President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011.
And many people believe police in Port Said stood by in revenge for the fans' role in anti-Mubarak unrest. Police deny the accusation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21722946