Trial of 51 defendants over Port Said prison break postponed to Tuesday

The Port Said Criminal Court on Monday adjourned to Tuesday session the trial of 51 defendants in Port Said prison clashes which took place after the verdict on the Port Said Stadium massacre of February 2012 was released.

The court took the decision to continue listening to the defense team.

The defendants are accused of killing police officers Ahmed Al Balky, Ayman Abdel Azim and 40 others, as well as injuring over 150 others from January 26 to 28, 2013.

Police officers’ testimonies in previous trial sessions indicated that gunshots were aimed at the prison and security forces following the announcement of the verdict in the “Port Said Massacre” trial of February 2012.

Clashes marred the governorate of Port Said for three days, starting on January 26, after the verdict in the “Port Said Massacre” case was released, sentencing 21 to death for their role in the death of 74 football fans in a football match in February 2012 between Al Ahly and Al Masry clubs.

Angry protesters and the families of prisoners gathered outside the Port Said prison where the prisoners sentenced to death were kept. They were accused of attempting to break into the prison.

Source: MENA