Egyptian al-Ahly football club supporters (Ultras) set fire on tires in Cairo’s downtown six October bridge on Jan. 23, 2013 demanding justice for the victims of the 2012 Port Said football match killings, a few days ahead of a court ruling on the matter. (AFP)
Egypt’s Ahly Football Club hardcore fans – Ultras Ahlawy- blocked the Cairo metro on Wednesday afternoon and sieged the stock exchange building earlier on the day, amid protests they held to demand a swift verdict in the Port Said trial.
Torn by last year’s tragedy, Ultras Ahlawy held several marches throughout the week reminding people of the Port Said massacre victims. More than 70 fans were killed last February following a match between the Ahly club and the Port Said-based Masry Club.
Wednesday was marked by Ultras as the “first of the days of rage,” after Prosecutor General Tala’at Abdallah said new evidence in the case is revealed. A verdict in the trial was due to be delivered next Saturday. But the prosecutor’s statements sparked fears that the verdict might be postponed, according to the Daily News Egypt.
The news prompted Ultras Ahlawy to release a statement on Tuesday saying “that the group has had enough with the ‘stalling and delays’,” reported the Daily News.
The Ultras blocked a number of major routes throughout Wednesday, including the 6th of October bridge which cuts across Cairo, disrupting traffic, reported the website.
Other Ultras blocked the metro line at Sa’ad Zaghloul’s station in both directions, after they walked all the way on its tracks until they reached Sadat station near the famous Tahrir Square, the Daily News reported.
Meanwhile, the protest held in front of the stock exchange did not disrupt trading, head of the exchange told Ahram Online.
