Prosecutors claim that while president, Morsi and his aides revealed state secrets to the militant groups and to Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Morsi and 35 others, including the Muslim Brotherhood's top three leaders, are also accused of sponsoring terrorism and carrying out combat training and other acts to undermine Egypt's stability.

The charges, which refer to incidents as far back as 2005, carry the death penalty. The prosecution statement was entitled: "the biggest case of conspiracy in Egypt's history goes to the criminal court."

"After the removal of defendant Mohammed Morsi from office, and the change in the political scene in Egypt, the Brotherhood and those terrorist groups carried out explosions, attacks against the military forces, the police in Sinai to terrorize the Egyptians, create chaos, undermine the country's independence... and incite sedition between the people to trigger a civil war in Egypt with the aim of bringing the ousted president back to office and reclaiming the Brotherhood's grip" on power, the prosecution's statement read.

Mohammed el-Damati, a defense lawyer for Brotherhood members, said the lawyers have not attended any of their clients' interrogations and have no idea about the details of the charges. Among leading members also indicted in the case were top Brotherhood leader Mohammed Badie and deputy Khairat el-Shater, both also facing other trials. A second deputy, Mahmoud Ezzat, is also charged, but remains on the run. Also charged was Saad el-Katatni, head of the Brotherhood's political party.

No trial date has been set in the new case. Morsi is already on trial on charges of inciting the murder of his opponents while in office. He was removed from office in July by the military, following days of mass protests demanding he step down. Morsi spent months in an undisclosed location before he appeared in court to face the incitement charges in November. That trial resumes in January.

"All the trials (against the Brotherhood) are political that have taken on legal covers," el-Damati said.