Tagammu Party holds Awqaf minister responsible for possible violence

Tagammu Party leader Sayed Abdel-Aal criticized statements by Awqaf Minister Talaat Afifi in which he urged "vigilante groups" to take to the streets on Saturday in anticipation of any violent acts that could break out after a court verdict in the Port Said stadium massacre. It could lead to clashes between protesters and the so-called vigilante groups, Abdel-Aal warned on his Twitter account. The Awqaf minister must be sacked and tried if blood was shed on that day due to his advice, he said. The Awqaf Ministry has asked mosque preachers to urge the people during the Friday sermon to support policemen and not leave them alone against rioters, and form popular groups on Saturday to prevent any attempts to destroy public property. Afifi is expected to deliver today's sermon at Al-Azhar Mosque to call for backing policemen in preserving security. At least 72 people died in last year's violence - mostly supporters of Cairo's Ahly team - when unidentified gunmen stormed the pitch, attacking Ahly fans. On January 26, the court slammed 21 with death sentences in a long-anticipated verdict in the Port Said football match trial. A verdict against the remaining 52 defendants, including Interior Ministry officers, was adjourned to March 9.