Also charged were Nasiruddin’s wife, Azura Yusof, and Adib At-Tamimi Ashaari, the son of the late Al-Arqam founder Ashaari Muhammad.

The 21 accused nodded after the charge was read to them before judge Lailatul Zuraida Harron @ Harun at the Selayang sessions court, Sinar Harian reported.

No plea was recorded as the case falls under the High Court’s jurisdiction.

They are accused of being members of the organised criminal group, GISBH, at Jalan Desa, Bandar Country Homes, Rawang, Selangor from October 2020 to Sept 11 this year.

The charge was framed under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail sentence of five to 20 years upon conviction.

The court fixed Dec 23 for case mention.

Some of GISBH’s top leadership were among the 58 people who were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).

Thirty-five people are still under remand while 273  have been granted police bail.

Thirty-seven previously arrested to assist in investigations into GISBH’s activities were released without condition, two were handed over to the Kedah religious department, while the immigration department has taken over custody of one foreigner, who will be deported.