PARIS Nine suspected militants went on trial on Thursday accused of plotting bomb attacks in France in a case that has underscored prosecutors fears that prisons have become a recruiting ground for extremists.

Safe Bourada, 38, the suspected leader of the group, has already served a 10-year sentence for his role in  attacks in France in 1995.

Prosecutors believe he recruited most of the other defendents while in prison.

Bourada has admitted setting up in 2003 an activist group called Ansar al Fath, or Partisans of Victory. He told prosecutors the organisation was created to help finance the Iraqi insurgency and has denied planning attacks in France.

The prosecution say the group was in contact with al Qaedas leadership in Iraq. Police say an informer told them the group was plotting to target Pariss Orly Airport and the metro network in the French capital.

No arms or explosives were found.

The group was uncovered following an assualt in July 2005 on a transsexual prostitute identified as Abderrahim M.
Police say the prostitute was robbed by group members looking to finance their extremist activities.

“These are autonomous groups, dealing in small sums of money, minor crimes with a controller,” an anti-terrorist magistrate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said ahead of the trail.

Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said last month French prisons had become a favourite recruitment centre for Islamist militants.