Prosecution appeals release order for last 5 detained football fans

The prosecution appealed a court order to release the last five out of over 1500 football fans arrested Friday during a football match at Alexandria’s Borg al-Arab stadium between Zamalek Club and the Moroccan Al-Wedad club in the African Champions League.

Lawyer at the Association for Freedom of Thought and expression (AFTE) Mohamed Hafez told Mada Masr that the court is due to review the prosecution’s appeal on Monday.

Most of those arrested were accused of forging tickets, and were released shortly after without charge. 150 fans faced charges and were released on LE500 bail, except the last five.

Those arrested had tickets but not an additional document requested by Zamalek Club President Mortada Mansour with their ID numbers and other personal details, Hafez explained.

Although the document is not legally required, Hafez said the Ministry of Interior supported Mansour’s request and is keen to impose it, as it will help build a database of football fans.

Similar arrests have occurred at the last five matches at the Alexandria stadium, where more than 500 football fans have been arrested at every match since the start of the championship, some released without charge and others on bail.

Hafez speculated that Alexandria Security Directorate may disapprove of the decision to allow audiences to attend matches and has decided to dissuade fans from attending through mass arrests.

Fans have been largely banned from attending football matches in Egypt since 2012, when 70 Ahly supporters died in clashes after a football match at Port Said Stadium. However, fans are permitted to attend the African Champions League in accordance with regulations.