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Six of April Movement denounces police attack on Ultras Ahlawy Violent clashes between football supporters and Central Security forces revive images of a brutal no-holds barred police force
The Six of April Youth Movement condemned the Central Security Forces' abrupt attack on Ahly's group of hardcore supporters, Ultras Ahlawy, after an Egyptian Cup match yesterday. Ahly's 4-0 thrashing of second-division side Kima Aswan was largely a trouble-free affair on the pitch but matters turned ugly at Cairo Stadium towards the end of the match. The Central Security Forces (CSF), renowned for their deadly crackdown on protesters during the January 25 Revolution, chased Ultras Ahlawy members immediately after the final whistle, using batons to beat them and evacuate the stadium. The clashes continued outside the 74,100-seat venue, which was only partially filled, leaving at least 90 supporters and 45 policemen injured. This has done nothing to aid the media campaigns to improve the police image, tarnished in the wake of the revolution. The reasons for the clash are not immediately clear but widespread reports say the police reacted after the fans hurled insults at the Ministry of the Interior, former interior minister Habib El-Adly and ousted president Hosni Mubarak. In their latest statement, the Six of April Youth Movement said the way the CSF had acted evoked memories of pre-revolution police brutality, stressing that Ultras Ahlawy did nothing wrong by chanting against El-Adly. Minister of Interior Mansour El-Essawy ordered the formation of a committee to start an immediate investigation into the incident and punish the culprits. He also ordered the release of the Ultras Ahlawy members who were arrested.
