Cairo: A court in Cairo was set on Saturday to deliver a verdict on 52 people allegedly involved in a deadly football stadium riot, in a case that has already sparked widespread violence and threats of further unrest.
In late January the court sentenced 21 defendants -- out of the total 73 people accused in the case -- to death, sparking riots in Port Said, home to most of the defendants and where the 2011 stadium violence took place.
The court, sitting in Cairo for security reasons, was also due to confirm the death sentences for the first 21 defendants it issued on January 26.
In Egypt, courts ask for the opinion of the mufti -- the government's interpreter of Islamic law -- when they issue death sentences.
The procedure is a formality, with the mufti almost always agreeing within a month. But the Islamic official has yet to weigh in on January's sentencing, demanding more time to study the case.
Legal experts say the court may decide to postpone upholding the death sentences for the initial 21 defendants to give the mufti more time.
The February 2011 riot in Port Said killed 74 people, mostly fans of the visiting Cairo Al-Ahly team.
Ahly fans, who have a reputation for organising sometimes violent protests, have warned police that they would retaliate if the defendants, including nine policemen, are exonerated.
But stiff sentences are likely to further inflame Port Said, were dozens of protesters were killed in clashes with police after January's initial verdict.
The interior ministry decided on Friday to hand over its flashpoint headquarters in the city to the military, present in Port Said since late January, to avoid further confrontations after days of unrest.
In late January the court sentenced 21 defendants -- out of the total 73 people accused in the case -- to death, sparking riots in Port Said, home to most of the defendants and where the 2011 stadium violence took place.
The court, sitting in Cairo for security reasons, was also due to confirm the death sentences for the first 21 defendants it issued on January 26.
The procedure is a formality, with the mufti almost always agreeing within a month. But the Islamic official has yet to weigh in on January's sentencing, demanding more time to study the case.
Advertisement
The February 2011 riot in Port Said killed 74 people, mostly fans of the visiting Cairo Al-Ahly team.
Advertisement
But stiff sentences are likely to further inflame Port Said, were dozens of protesters were killed in clashes with police after January's initial verdict.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Cult Boss Accused Of Plotting With 'Santa' To Give Poisoned Candy To Jewish Children In US: Report 3 Hmar Insurgents Shot Dead In Encounter In Assam: Himanta Sarma Biden Calls For Ban On Type Of Gun Used In Trump Attack World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage 1 Passenger Dies As 12 Coaches Of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express Derail In UP Why BJP Lost Lok Sabha Polls In Uttar Pradesh - 6 Reasons In Party Report US Legislation To Curb AI Deepfakes, Give Control Back To Creators Face Of History's "Cruellest Man" Re-Created 440 Years After His Death 1 Passenger Dies As 12 Coaches Of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express Derail In UP Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.