Cairo, May 23 (IANS) An Egyptian criminal court has issued the first death sentence to a police officer for killing protesters during the demonstrations that toppled president Hosni Mubarak, state news agency MENA reported.

 
 Mohammed Ibrahim was convicted to death in absentia Sunday for killing at least 20 protesters and injuring 15 by randomly firing his rifle outside a police station Jan 28, one of the bloodiest days during the 18-day anti-regime demonstration, according to Xinhua.
 
 The court was crowded by the families of the victims who hailed the decision of the judge to refer the case to the Islamic cleric for approving the death sentence. They called for bringing the officer to execution as soon as possible.
 
 As many as 846 people were killed during the nationwide demonstration which forced Mubarak to step down.
 
 Mubarak, his sons, and some of his top aides are in custody, facing charges of using violence against the protesters.