A dozen Egyptian football fans were temporarily detained and subjected to “cruel and degrading” treatment on Saturday in Doha, an Arab human rights group has said.

The Egyptians were held for more than 10 hours following a friendly football match between Congo and Egypt at Gharafa Stadium, reportedly for holding up “offensive” signs while sitting in the stands, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information stated.

According to ANHRI:

The 12 Egyptian citizens held banners that condemned the killing of the martyrs of the Port Said massacre, which took place a few weeks ago in the stadium of the Egyptian city of Port Said.

The banners did not read anything unlawful, but only read the fans’ views on the rule of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) and expressed their solidarity with the martyrs of the Ultras (football fans), who died during the bloody events of Port Said stadium in an incident that the SCAF bears political responsibility for.

However, the Qatari security forces detained the Egyptian fans for allegedly holding offensive banners in the stands.

The fans were released after interrogation.