The trial of dozens of activists including 19 Americans accused of receiving illicit foreign funding for their NGOs began in Cairo Sunday.

The trial of dozens of activists including 19 Americans accused of receiving illicit foreign funding for their NGOs began in Cairo Sunday.

The legal proceedings against the activists, some of whom have left the country, are taking place in a packed courtroom in a Cairo suburb.

A prosecutor in the court in a Cairo suburb read out the charges against the defendants, saying their alleged acceptance of the illicit funds had "detracted from the sovereignty of the Egyptian state."

They are also accused of operating their groups illegally.

After the brief hearing, the judge adjourned the trial to April 26, allowing the defendants who had appeared in court to be released until then.

The defendants are accused of illegally operating NGOs using illicit foreign funds.