Egypt renews detention for 236 football fans again

An Egyptian military court in Alexandria yesterday renewed the detention of 236 Zamalek football club fans for 30 days, the defendants’ lawyer said.

Mohamed Hafez said the defendants were charged with violence and riots that erupted after a match held in Alexandria’s Burj Al-Arab Stadium last July during which Zamalek played against its Libyan rival, Al-Ahly, as part of in the African Champions League competition.

In a press statement, Hafez said this was the third time the court had renewed the detainees’ detention, this time postponing the case to 25 November.

The Public Prosecution has charged the defendants with “damaging the stadium, disturbing public security, incitement and hooliganism, and wearing T-shirts with slogans that incite social instability,” Hafez added.

Read: Egypt upholds death sentences following football riots