Egypt’s general prosecution released on bail Thursday 19 members of the die-hard football fan group Ultras Ahlawy, arrested days earlier on charges of blocking roads. The 19 convicted will have to pay a LE2,000 bail (around $290) each.
The release comes after the group announced it will protest peacefully on Saturday the detention of 25 other fans detained 13 October after clashes with security forces at Cairo International Airport.
The 19 fans were arrested Monday after hundreds of Ultras members stopped traffic on Cairo’s Galaa Bridge, blocking for less than an hour Salah Salem Street, a main road in Heliopolis.
The demonstration was organised to demand the release of the 25 arrested a day earlier following clashes with security forces. The 25 were detained on charges of attempted murder and assault on security forces.
The die-hard football fan group had gone to Cairo International Airport to receive Ahly Club’s handball team upon its return from Tunisia, after losing in the African Cup final.
Clashes errupted following an attempt by the group to storm an airport terminal after being prevented from entry, according to airport security. Eleven police personnel and two airport workers were injured in the violence, some of them by bird shot.
The group has called for protests in front of Ahly Club’s headquarters Saturday, to demand the release of the 25 detainees.
Ultras groups have often clashed with police during demonstrations and football matches, with many members arrested, injured and killed over the last two and a half years.
Source : Ahram
