Top Egyptian court confirms death sentences for 10 over soccer riot

Egypt's top court upheld on Monday a 2015 death sentence for 10 defendants over murder-related charges in a 2012 riot that killed 72 soccer fans, state-run Ahram Online reported.

The defendants were found guilty on charges of premeditated murder and attempted murder of Egypt's Ahly Club soccer fans, thuggery, vandalism and theft, the report said.

The ruling, which was issued by Egypt's court of cassation, is final and cannot be appealed.

In June 2015, a minor Egyptian criminal court sentenced 11 people to death, including one in absentia, over bloody riots during a soccer game in the Suez Canal city of Port Said in February 2012.

The 2015 verdicts were appealed automatically by the prosecution, in accordance with Egyptian law on death sentences.

In Monday's trial, the defendant convicted in absentia was ordered a retrial.

In the same case, another 10 defendants received 15-year sentences, 15 received 10-year sentences, and 15 others received five-year sentences. One defendant received a one-year sentence and 21 defendants were acquitted.

Seventy-two fans were killed and 254 others injured in Egypt's worst ever soccer riot that erupted at the end of a match between Al Ahly and Port Said-based Al Masry clubs in February 2012.

As many as 73 people, including nine security officials, were arrested right after the incident. Endit