A Cambodian court has begun the trial of 20 suspected members of a rebel group, including a U.S. citizen, on charges of terrorism and membership in an illegal armed force.

The trial opened under tight security in the capital, Phnom Penh, Monday and is expected to last two weeks.

The defendants -- 19 men and one woman -- are alleged to be members of a group, called the Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF), which is accused of attempting to overthrow the government in November, 2000.

A series of grenade attacks on government buildings Phnom Penh during the alleged coup attempt left at least four people dead. Last year almost 60 people were convicted of involvement in the attacks and sentenced to various prison terms.

The government launched a crackdown on a suspected members of the group after alleging it had foiled a plot to carry out more attacks. Most of those the government has accused of ties to the CFF have denied membership in the group, which is led by U.S.-based Cambodian-American Chhun Yasith.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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