Judicial sources have said that prosecutors are summoning six new defendants in the Port Said Massacre case, in which 73 suspects stand accused of involvementin the violence that killed over 70 football fans following a Premier League match in Port Said Stadium last February between Egypt's leading team, Ahly, and its host, Masry.
These new defendants are inspector Khaled Mohamed Namnam, another police officer and four members of the disbanded National Democratic Party.
The sources added that investigations had revealed Namnam left the stadium half an hour before the end of the match, and that the fact-finding committee is submitting new evidence that may lead to his conviction.
Former head of Port Said Security Directorate, Major General Essam Samak, said in a meeting with the committee members that investigations conducted by Namnam are “untrue” and include “fabricated” testimonies.
In his testimony, Namnam said that there was tension between the fans of both clubs, and that the lighting operator deliberately turned off the stadium lights during the clashes.
“The court has the right to restart proceedings or discard the new evidence,” said Ali Youssef, head of the Assiut Court of Appeal.
The Public Prosecution announced Monday that it has new evidence regarding the Port Said football violence, which it sent to Port Said Criminal Court Tuesday, according to prosecution spokesperson Hassan Yassin.
However, a judicial source has said that the court will ultimately decide whether or not to accept the new evidence. The court is trying 73 suspects for murder.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
