CAIRO: Egypt's state prosecutor has charged two Israelis and a Ukrainian with smuggling weapons and trying to implicate Egyptian security.

A statement Monday said they would be tried in an emergency state security court.

The charges are the first case of bringing foreigners to trial in connection with the violence and unrest in Egypt since the ousting of longtime President Hosni Mubarak in February.

The country's rulers have often blamed "hidden hands" and foreign funding in the violence between protesters and security forces.

Several months ago the government accused an Israeli of spying during the uprising. He was freed without being charged.

The Ukrainian and one Arab-Israeli are in custody, while the other Israeli has not been apprehended, the prosecution said.