Islamic murder plot

Twelve Muslims arrested in the Netherlands for plotting murder have gone on trial:

Twelve Muslims arrested in Holland have been accused of threatening to kill prominent politicians critical of Islam.

The arrests followed the murder of a Dutch film director who made a movie that criticised the religion.

Prosecutors, speaking at a pre-trial hearing of the men, said last year's arrests had foiled further attacks.

The group, aged 18 to 27, are suspected of belonging to the extremist Muslim group Hofstad.

"We are dealing with a very active radical group," public prosecutor Koos Plooy told a pre-trial hearing in Rotterdam.

"The group plotted some very serious crimes including murder, possession of arms, issuing threats and causing explosions, all following extremist convictions."

All 12 have been charged with belonging to a criminal group and conspiring to murder with "terrorist intent".

Two are charged with the attempted murder of police officers.