They were M Subramaniam, 44, G Tilagarajan, 36, M Kesavan, 39, N Sharvin, 26, TS Ligen Kumar, 26, M Dineswaren, 24, P Kirubaagaran, 23, G Meheshkumara, 27. M Janagesh, 28, and R Logeswaaraaj, 30.

Also charged were K Hendry, 44, M Sivasangkaran, 37, M Partiben, 29, S Arunan, 32, S Denneswaran, 28, and V Alagis, 31, reported Berita Harian.

All the accused nodded when the charges were read to them in Tamil before judge Nor Azah Kasran.

No pleas were recorded as the case, which involves the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The charges were framed under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code with being members of an organised crime group, which provides for imprisonment of five to 20 years upon conviction.

According to the charge, 14 of the accused allegedly committed the offences between June 2016 and Nov 26 this year.

Two others are accused of involvement between February 2019 and Nov 26 this year.

The court denied bail for all 16 and set Feb 7 for case mention.

Deputy public prosecutors Yazid Mustaqim Roslan and Lina Hanini Ismail handled the prosecution, while 13 of the 16 accused were represented by lawyers.