75 charged in Egypt riot
Egypt’s prosecutor general Thursday charged 75 people, including a former security chief and eight police officers, with murder and negligence in the violence that killed at least 74 people in clashes between rival fans at a soccer game last month in Port Said.
The bloodshed startled the nation and drew rebukes aimed at military leaders for a lack of security that has plagued Egypt since the overthrow last year of President Hosni Mubarak.
The televised soccer match between the Port Said Masry squad and the Ahly club from Cairo erupted in a melee as the home team’s fans rushed the field, attacking opposing players and supporters for more than 30 minutes.
The office of Prosecutor General Abdel-maguid Mahmoud said in a statement Thursday that the defendants included the former Port Said security chief, Maj. Gen. Essam Samak; eight police officers; and three Port Said team officials. Samak has been suspended from duty since the incident.
The statement said the key defendants played a part in the killing by “failing to take any measure” to prevent the violence. The prosecutor said police and team officials were aware that fans, including known criminals, planned the attack but that the fans were allowed to enter the stadium carrying weapons without being searched.
Investigations showed that the stadium’s lights were shut off on purpose during the attack, Ahly fans were thrown off terraces, and home team supporters threw firebombs on visitors trapped at intentionally locked exit doors.
The riot resulted in the cancellation of the remaining soccer season and the dismissal of the soccer federation president and board members.
Numerous prominent players have vowed not to compete again until those responsible for the killings are brought to justice.