Two cops killed after soccer verdict

People react after hearing the final verdict of the 2012 Port Said massacre, in Port Said, January 26, 2013. An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced to death 21 people found guilty of involvement in the Port Said soccer stadium disaster in which 74 people died last year. The ruling could help reduce prospects of fresh clashes on Egypt's turbulent streets. Soccer fans and families of those killed had threatened more violence if the punishments did not satisfy them, and many had demanded the accused be executed. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih

People react after hearing the final verdict of the 2012 Port Said massacre, in Port Said, January 26, 2013. An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced to death 21 people found guilty of involvement in the Port Said soccer stadium disaster in which 74 people died last year. The ruling could help reduce prospects of fresh clashes on Egypt's turbulent streets. Soccer fans and families of those killed had threatened more violence if the punishments did not satisfy them, and many had demanded the accused be executed. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih

Published Jan 26, 2013

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Cairo - Egyptian security officials say a senior police officer and a policeman were shot dead in the Mediterranean city of Port Said after a judge sentenced 21 people to death in connection to one of the world's deadliest incidents of soccer violence.

Officials say that the police were killed when relatives tried to break into the Port Said prison to free the 73 defendants in the case held there.

At least 75 people were wounded in Saturday's violence outside the prison. Port Said residents also cut off the main road leading to the city.

Officials spoke anonymously in line with regulations.

The violence comes after a judge sentenced fans of Port Said's Al-Masry team to death for taking part in the February 1, 2012, soccer violence, which killed 74 fans of Cairo's Al-Ahly club. - Sapa-AP

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