On January 26 a courtroom in Cairo passed down 21 death sentences to fans of Al Masry soccer club for their role in the deaths of 72 supporters of Al Ahly, Egypt's biggest club from Cairo, during a match last February.
Behind the mask —
On January 26 a courtroom in Cairo passed down 21 death sentences to fans of Al Masry soccer club for their role in the deaths of 72 supporters of Al Ahly, Egypt's biggest club from Cairo, during a match last February.
James Montague / CNN
Some 15,000 fans of Al Ahly, many members of the club's Ahlawy ultras group, gathered in front of a billboard displaying pictures of the dead at the team's training ground to hear the verdict.
Scales of justice —
Some 15,000 fans of Al Ahly, many members of the club's Ahlawy ultras group, gathered in front of a billboard displaying pictures of the dead at the team's training ground to hear the verdict.
James Montague / CNN
The news of the death sentences sparked wild celebrations among the supporters.
Moment of truth —
The news of the death sentences sparked wild celebrations among the supporters.
James Montague / CNN
Smoke filled the air as flares and fireworks were set off.
Fans celebrate —
Smoke filled the air as flares and fireworks were set off.
James Montague / CNN
Many of the fans had come armed with homemade pistols, expecting the judgment to go against them.
Armed and ready —
Many of the fans had come armed with homemade pistols, expecting the judgment to go against them.
James Montague / CNN
The jubilant fans were let into the club, where they held a rally on the training pitch.
Rally at the club —
The jubilant fans were let into the club, where they held a rally on the training pitch.
James Montague / CNN
Many of the victims' families were also there, holding pictures of loved ones. Here one young fan holds a portrait of his best friend, who died in Port Said.
Portrait of the dead —
Many of the victims' families were also there, holding pictures of loved ones. Here one young fan holds a portrait of his best friend, who died in Port Said.
James Montague / CNN
The Ahlawy played a crucial role in Egypt's two-year-old revolution. Graffiti honoring them and the dead can be seen throughout Egypt. This piece of graffiti next to Tahrir Square shows a line of police, each with the former dictator Hosni Mubarak's face. The acronym ACAB stands for "All Cops Are Bastards."
ACAB —
The Ahlawy played a crucial role in Egypt's two-year-old revolution. Graffiti honoring them and the dead can be seen throughout Egypt. This piece of graffiti next to Tahrir Square shows a line of police, each with the former dictator Hosni Mubarak's face. The acronym ACAB stands for "All Cops Are Bastards."
James Montague / CNN
Meanwhile, in Port Said, the announcement sparked violence that led to the deaths of more than 30 people and the imposition of a curfew by President Morsy. A protest was organized to break the curfew. Here a protester carries a picture of Morsy blowing bubbles.
Down with Morsi —
Meanwhile, in Port Said, the announcement sparked violence that led to the deaths of more than 30 people and the imposition of a curfew by President Morsy. A protest was organized to break the curfew. Here a protester carries a picture of Morsy blowing bubbles.
James Montague / CNN
The army was called onto the streets. Many in Port Said blamed the police for the deaths and greeted the army as heroes, kissing soldiers as they passed.
Army in control —
The army was called onto the streets. Many in Port Said blamed the police for the deaths and greeted the army as heroes, kissing soldiers as they passed.
James Montague / CNN
A cross section of Port Said society attended, including several hundred women. The 9 p.m. curfew came and went. The protesters stayed on the streets.
Port Said women protest —
A cross section of Port Said society attended, including several hundred women. The 9 p.m. curfew came and went. The protesters stayed on the streets.
James Montague / CNN
At the center of the protest was Al Masry's biggest ultras group, the Green Eagles. Many deny involvement in last February's Port Said tragedy.
Al Masry ultras —
At the center of the protest was Al Masry's biggest ultras group, the Green Eagles. Many deny involvement in last February's Port Said tragedy.
James Montague / CNN
The protest was ended when police fired automatic weapons. One protester was killed.
The sound of machine guns —
The protest was ended when police fired automatic weapons. One protester was killed.
James Montague / CNN
The following day, after the protest, burnt out cars remained in the street.
Aftermath —
The following day, after the protest, burnt out cars remained in the street.
James Montague / CNN
A defaced election campaign poster for President Morsy found nearby.
Protest —
A defaced election campaign poster for President Morsy found nearby.
James Montague / CNN
Outside a mosque next to Port Said's soccer stadium, a crowd gathered for the funeral of a protester killed the previous night. Dozens of men crowded around to show their injuries sustained during the protest, as well as spent bullet casings.
Shots fired —
Outside a mosque next to Port Said's soccer stadium, a crowd gathered for the funeral of a protester killed the previous night. Dozens of men crowded around to show their injuries sustained during the protest, as well as spent bullet casings.
James Montague / CNN
The stadium was only a few hundred meters away. It was here that more than 70 Al Ahly fans were killed. The stadium is closed with little prospect of any soccer returning here for a long while, even though the pitch had been freshly mowed. Al Masry has been temporarily banned from soccer when the league eventually restarts.
Empty stands —
The stadium was only a few hundred meters away. It was here that more than 70 Al Ahly fans were killed. The stadium is closed with little prospect of any soccer returning here for a long while, even though the pitch had been freshly mowed. Al Masry has been temporarily banned from soccer when the league eventually restarts.
James Montague / CNN
Inside, the stands have been left virtually untouched since the tragedy last February.
Harrowing reminder —
Inside, the stands have been left virtually untouched since the tragedy last February.
James Montague / CNN