Brussels, May 7 (IANS): The trial of 31 men accused of being part of a terrorist recruitment network began here on Thursday in one of Belgium's biggest ever terrorist trials.

In February, a court in Antwerp found 45 men guilty of terror-related offences. The 31 men on trial in Brussels are accused of recruiting young people for jihadi groups operating in Syria.

One of the key figures in the trial, radical preacher Khalid Zerkani, has also been accused by the federal prosecutor of inciting his young followers to steal, Xinhua news agency reported. The proceeds of the crimes would then go to fund those fighters leaving for Syria.

Also on trial is Abdel Hamid Abaaoud, the suspected leader of the jihadi cell that was broken up by the police in Verviers in January.

Since that time, Belgium has been on high alert, with soldiers deployed on its streets guarding sensitive targets.

An estimated 350 men have travelled from Belgium to Syria, making it the highest number per capita in Europe.