Egypt's military prosecutors have released more than 200 football fans who had spent more than five months in detention accused of vandalising a stadium and attacking police, a lawyer said on Monday.
Police detained hundreds of supporters of Cairo's Zamalek club after a July 9 game against Libya's Al Alhi SC, keeping 236 of them in detention ever since, said defence lawyer Mohamed Hafez, who represented more than 100 of them.
Following months of investigations, the military prosecution released them on Saturday "because there was not enough evidence to allow for a criminal trial", Mr Hafez said.
Their release was also reported by state media.
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The supporters were accused of destroying seats at Alexandria's Borg El Arab Stadium and attacking police, said Mr Hafez, who is also a lawyer at the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression.
They were also accused of belonging to the Ultras White Knights, a group of hard core Zamalek supporters.
"There was rioting inside the Borg El Arab Stadium, and some of the seats were destroyed, and then about 600 of Zamalek's supporters were randomly arrested," he said.
Eight of the 236 had remained in detention on Saturday, apparently for investigation on other charges, although a further three were released on Sunday, he said.
In 2015, Egyptian authorities banned the ultras groups, hardcore supporters of local teams who were at the forefront of 2011 protests that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak and are openly hostile to the police.
Authorities had banned spectators from local matches after 2012 stadium riots in Port Said left more than 70 people dead, but spectators were allowed into the July match as it was an international fixture.
Other matches played in the presence of spectators since 2012 have also been marred by deadly violence.
In February 2015, police fired tear gas at fans who tried to push their way into a Cairo stadium. The ensuing stampede left 19 people dead.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
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Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
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Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
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To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
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- Join parent networks
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Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
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Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
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Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
