The Cairo Criminal Court has sentenced eight of 68 defendants to death in the case of attacking Helwan police station.

All 68 defendants had been accused of storming and burning Helwan police station in the wake of the crackdown on the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood protest camps in August 2013.

Three police officers and three citizens had been killed in the attack, while 19 others had been injured.

Today's sentences should be final on October 10 after the court receives permission from the mufti of the republic.

On October 10, the court will also reach a verdict against the other 60 defendants. 

All the defendants also face charges of committing terrorist crimes, sabotaging public and private property and possessing firearms, in addition to destroying police and private vehicles.

They are also accused of premeditated and attempted murder.

Source: MENA