KHARTOUM, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Sudan sentenced eight Darfur rebels to death on Sunday for their involvement in an unprecedented attack on the capital, including a senior leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

Chanting for a new Sudan and for justice before the court, the eight rebels including JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim's half brother Abdel Aziz el-Nur Ashr said they had no reason to ask for leniency.

"The court is sentencing all eight accused to death by hanging," said judge Mudathir Rashid Sidahmed.~ (Reporting by Ibrahim Hamdi; Editing by Charles Dick)