The group is accused of conspiring to attack tourists and government facilities to avenge the killing by security forces of another militant, Hamza al-Kaithi.

Mohammed al-Saadi, 24, Issam Gheilan, 24, Munir al-Bouni, 23, and Osama al-Saadi, 15, listened as the prosecution outlined evidence against them including Bouni's statement to police, after which Bouni denied all charges.

"I signed blank bits of paper -- I have no idea where these confessions came from," he said.

The court appointed a lawyer for the four following a request by Bouni. It adjourned the hearing until January 10 so the defence lawyer can meet the defendants and study their cases.

The trial of the group began last November 25 at the same time as the trial of another four Yemenis charged with plotting to form an armed group with the intention of attacking tourists, hotels and government installations.

The members of the other group are also alleged to have planned an attack on the Red Cross near the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

A security official said last year that the eight are among dozens of Yemenis suspected of having links to Al-Qaeda. The authorities are still investigating charges of terrorism levelled against some 60 other people.

In recent months Yemen has seen a series of attacks, later claimed by Al-Qaeda, against oil facilities and the security forces.

AFP