Egypt Court Backs Football Riot Death Sentences

A court in Egypt has upheld 21 death sentences handed down to fans over deadly football riots in Port Said, amid fears of new unrest.

Five of 52 other defendants were sentenced to life in prison for rioting while others received lesser sentences or were acquitted.

Locals accuse the Cairo court of leniency towards the police over the riots, in which 74 people died.

A crowd gathered in Port Said to protest at the verdicts.

Fans of the Port Said team, al-Masry, were also said to be planning a demonstration at the city’s stadium.

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.

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