The North Cairo Criminal Court began on Saturday the trial of 16 suspects from the Muslim Brotherhood and the White Knights group, who face charges of violence, rioting and arson during a football match between Zamalek Football Club and Enppi Club at the Air Defense Stadium, which claimed the lives of 22 fans.
The defendants were brought to the court amid tight security and placed inside a glass cage in the courtroon. They have denied the charges and claimed they have been tortured by the police.
One of the defendants, Yasser Othman, also accused the police of attempting to rape his wife.
The defense has requested the trial to be postponed, while civil rights organizations have demanded compensations ranging from LE100,000 to LE1 million.
The trial has been adjourned until May 18.
The defendants who are members of the Muslim Brotherhood are charged with paying the White Knights to terrorize the public during the match in order to thwart the preparations for the Sharm el-Sheikh Economic Conference. The defendants have allegedly pleaded guilty of those charges during investigations.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
