22 people sentenced to death for killing Kerdasa policeman
The Giza Criminal Court sentenced 22 people to death on Wednesday after finding them guilty of killing a policeman at the Kerdasa police station in 2013.
The court sent the verdict to the grand mufti for approval. His recommendation — which is legally required, but not binding — is anticipated on April 20, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
The Kerdasa police station was stormed by an angry mob on July 3, 2013 in protest against that day's military-led ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi. One policeman was killed and several others were injured in the incident. A total of 23 defendants were tried in the case, and charged with attacking the station, murder and illegal arms possession.
Fourteen of the defendents are currently in custody, while eight others were sentenced in absentia. The one defendant to escape the death penalty is a minor, according to Reuters. His sentencing is also slated for April 20.
The defendants said they would appeal the verdict before the Court of Cassation.
The Kerdasa police station was also attacked on August 14, 2013, following the deadly dispersal of protest camps at Rabeya al-Adaweya and Nahda Square, in which more than 1,000 people were killed. The death toll was much higher in this assault, with conflicting reports saying between 11 and 16 policemen were killed.
On February 2, the Giza Criminal Court sentenced 183 purported Morsi supporters to death for their alleged roles in the August attack.
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