Eight alleged Islamic extremists have gone on trial in Kazakhstan's central city of Qaraghandy.
The trial that started in October 31 is being held behind closed doors.
The defendants were arrested in June and charged with creation of a terrorist group and participation in its activities, and illegal possession of weapons.
Investigators said earlier that one of the group's members had blown himself up when police tried to detain him.
According to the investigators, the group planned a series of terrorist attacks in the region, including an attack against a Russian military base near Balkhash Lake.
Also in June, 25 alleged Islamic militants carried out a series of attacks in the northwestern city of Aqtobe that left five civilians and three members of Kazakhstan's security forces dead.
Security forces killed 18 gunmen and arrested several others then.
