CAIRO: At least two Egyptian protesters have been killed in the country on Saturday after violent clashes increased following the acquittal of 7 police officers for their role in a February 2012 football stadium massacre that killed at least 74 people in Port Said. Another 21 fans had their death sentences from July confirmed, which led to widespread unrest from football fans who claim the government is attempting to protect security officials from responsibility. The protesters were reportedly killed during clashes between riot police and demonstrators near two five-star hotels and the American and British embassies. Ambulance service personnel reported the news to local media. The violence has led to downtown Cairo becoming a war zone, with tear gas barrages causing much of the surrounding areas to become engulfed in the eye-stinging gas. Residents told Bikyanews.com on Saturday evening that walking outside “is walking into tear gas and it just burns.” Also on Saturday, the Egyptian Football Association put all football related matches on an indefinite hold after fans from al-Ahly club, Ultras, attacked administration buildings in anger. Hundreds of hardcore football fans known as Ultras Ahlawy broke into the Federation's headquarters and the Police Club earlier on Saturday and set both locations ablaze, protesting against the acquittal verdicts issued to seven police officers in the case of Port Said Stadium. Port Said Criminal Court issued on Saturday a verdict sentencing 21 persons to death, five persons to a life sentence, ten were sentenced to 15 years in prison and six received a ten years sentence, 28 were acquitted. Violence related to February 2012′s massacre of at least 74 football fans has hit the country hard since cases against fans had been announced initially on January 26. The acquittals of police officers is only to enrage the Ultras even further, after they have accused the police of complicity in the February 1, 2012 violence in Port Said. The massacre left Egypt shocked as scenes of violence spread across televisions last year, leading to violent clashes in downtown Cairo after fans from the al-Ahly team accused the ministry of interior of culpability in allowing the violence in Port Said to take place. Video from the scene posted on the video-sharing site YouTube shows police standing by and not intervening at the stadium after the violence broke out. The security forces were also seen locking the stadium gates, barring any fan from leaving the massacre. With the acquittals on Saturday, unrest and violence is expected. BN
