Egypt’s Military Court acquitted on Tuesday four prominent Ultras White Knights (UWK) members in the case known as ‘the Ultras organisation’, according to state media.
They were accused of breaking into, and burning, the Cairo International Convention Centre. The four members includes one of the UWK’s leaders Sayyed Moshageb.
The court also sentenced in absentia to life another four defendants.
Moshageb, however, will not walk free, as he stands accused of initiating a riot that led to the death of 20 Al-Zamalek football fans, in the case known as the ‘Air Defence Stadium’. The clashes took place on 8 February 2015, ahead of a match scheduled between Al-Zamalek and ENPPI. Nearly 20 fans died as a result of suffocation as security forces prevented them entrance into the stadium.
Since playing a role during the 25 January Revolution in 2011, Egyptian football Ultras groups have become strongly involved in the country’s heated domestic affairs.
Using their physical and organisational capabilities, the Ultras have featured prominently in recurring confrontations with security forces, and also took part in numerous protests, though not all, since 2011.
