27 Killed After Port Said Riot Verdicts

First, a little context...

Last year, two rival Egyptian clubs, Al-Ahly and Al-Masry, didn't get to finish their match as violence broke out. 74 were killed by the time the riots concluded as it was determined that local police did little or nothing to keep the violence down once it started and were not assisting those who were fleeing the stadium and the violence.

Here are some of the live elements from that night...


21 of the 73 defendants in the ensuing trial had their verdicts read today and they were sentenced to death for their actions. Violence broke out after the verdicts were read and 27 more were killed.

People were killed when police fired tear gas, bird shot and other live ammunition at the mob who was protesting the verdicts outside the prison where the defendants are being held. Two soccer players were killed on their way to do training near the prison. One of the players was shot three times according to a local health official.

Protesters are also using this verdict as a way to protest the policies and tenure of President Mohammed Morsi. Before the verdict was read, Morsi declared that each family of the deceased from the original riot was to receive the US equivalent of $15,000 for their pain and suffering.

Here's Euronews coverage of the verdict

75 Charged With Murder In Egypt Soccer Riot

Egypt's top prosecutor charged 75 people in connection with the soccer riot last month where authorities claimed fans were thrown to their death while others were killed by explosives as they tried to flee the stadium itself.

In addition, nine police officers were accused of "complicity."
It was the world's worst soccer-related disaster in 15 years.

The riot began minutes after the game ended between al-Ahly and al-Masry in a game they won 3-1. al-Masry's fans, apparently, went after al-Ahly fans for the next half-hour while police stood by and watched.

Here's the report from Egyptian network El-Ahly...
And it was pretty graphic... and, yes, it was in native tongue...

Egypt Premier Dissolves Soccer Fed Board After Riots

Port Said's police chief has also resigned in the wake of yesterday's mess...
((HT: RussiaToday))


Some accused the police of allowing the riot to go down because of feelings against the ultras -- die-hard soccer fans who are enemies of the police, and backers of Al-Ahly.

Protests and a march are planned today as part of the public outcry on the deaths. And it is reported that fans of Al-Ahly rival, Al-Masry, actually chased their rivals armed with anything they could grab...

The HQ isn't surprised...

BREAKING: Port Said Soccer Death Toll Now At 26 ((UPDATED: 73))

A Cairo, Egypt medical official has raised the official death toll to 26 after a riot broke out after the Port Said match with Al-Masry...

Some of the dead in Wednesday's clashes were security officers. A security official and another medic said fans of Al-Masry swarmed the field after a rare 3-1 win against rival Al-Ahly.

Here's the beginning of the riot...
((HT: youtube))


There are conflicting reports as to the number of dead- which has reported as high at 35...

More when we know more...

1445 UPDATE: Egypt State TV is now reporting the death toll at 73...

Here's a longer version...
((via @RichardDeitsch and @ProducerMatthew)))


1700 UPDATE: Here's analysis from the studio, and it's not pretty...