British Terror Trial to Be Held Largely in Secret

A major British terror trial can be heard largely in secret, the Court of Appeal ruled Thursday in an unprecedented move, due to fears that the evidence could jeopardize national security.

State prosecutors wanted to hold the trial completely behind closed doors, in what would have been the first ever secret criminal trial in Britain.

However, following a challenge by media organizations, judges at the appeal court said parts must be heard in public, although the "core" of the case will still be held in secret.

Part of the ruling means the accused, who had been known only as AB and CD, can be named as Erol Incedal and Mounir Rarmoul-Bouhadjar.

Incedal is charged with an offense relating to the preparation of terrorist acts.

He and Rarmoul-Bouhadjar are both charged with an offense contrary to anti-terror laws relating to the collection of information.

Rarmoul-Bouhadjar is also charged with an offense relating to the possession of false identity documents.

The trial is due to begin on Monday at the Old Bailey in London, England's central criminal court where the highest profile trials are held.