Echorouk hires lawyers to defend football clash prisoners
Some prisoners' mothers at Echorouk's headoffice.
Echorouk newspaper will hire lawyers to defend prisoners accused of riots and vandalizing following a local football match.
- This came as a forum was held between the prisoners’ parents at Echorouk’s headoffice in Algiers.
- The newspaper committed to help the families to acquit some prisoners or review their sentences.
- “We decided to hire lawyers to defend the prisoners to stand by their families. The prisoners are young and teenagers and some of them were expected to take the Bacalaureate exams in few days,” said Echorouk’s General Director Ali Fodil.
- According to the prisoners’ families, there are no evidences against most of the prisoners. The persons who destroyed cars and committed thefts were not identified.
- They told Echorouk they will use legal and peaceful means to achieve their objective and see their children released from jail.
- “I know that my son and some boys committed a mistake but the sentences were tough. They were supposed to be released on bail. Some of the prisoners are candidates for the Baccalaureate exams this year. I hope that they will be released to take their exams,” said a woman.
- A prisoner’s father said most of the teenagers who were jailed are innocent.
- Another one said football fans must learn from this issue. “We are Muslims and Algerians. We must be tolerant. People must not loose their future because of football.”
- Earlier last week, clashes between of NA Hussein-Dey and RC Kouba football clubs fans caused several serious injuries among them and policemen.
- The clashes sparked in Kouba suburban in Algiers next to the municipal swimming pool near La maison de la presse.
- The young fans used stones, batons and knives causing serious injuries to each other. Others were stubbed in the back and evacuated to hospital.
- Meanwhile, some fans destroyed police vans and three cars.
- A policeman were stubbed in the back and evacuated to hospital. Others policemen were injured in hands and legs.
- The fans also set fire on Echorouk’s van which were parked near La maison de la presse. It was completely burnt.
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A total of 23 fans were arrested.