An Egyptian appeals court has set May 13 for the first hearing of eight defendants who were accused of attacking police officers as they guarded the federal palace during violent clashes that took place early this year.

Confrontations had erupted between protesters and unknown assailants who torched their tents with Molotov cocktails and shots, before central security forces intervened and dispersed the clashes with tear gas.

Egypt’s general prosecutor accused the first defendant of murder attempt and the seven others of using force and violence against police officers.