CAIRO

An Egyptian court sentenced seven people to death on Monday for killing police officers in 2016, according to the country’s flagship Al-Ahram daily newspaper.

In the case, the court jailed three other defendants for 15 years each, fifteen to ten years, and acquitted seven others.

The defendants were accused of attacking a police vehicle in Cairo in 2016, killing seven police officers. The defendants denied the charges.

Monday's verdicts are still subject to appeal. 

Egyptian authorities have launched a relentless crackdown on dissent following the overthrow of former president Mohamed Morsi in a military coup, killing hundreds and arresting thousands.

Morsi died unexpectedly this June, after collapsing in a courtroom.