Two brothers from Belfast were in court this morning on charges of blackmail and raising money for terrorism.
Mr David Hill (38), from Woodland Place, and Mr Paul Hill (42), from Waveney Park, were accused of demanding £6,000 from a police officer posing as a businessman.
They were also charged with soliciting money for an unnamed terrorist organisation.
It is understood the charges relate to an alleged protection racket at a building site in the Newtownabbey area.
A detective told Belfast Magistrates Court that when Mr David Hill was charged he replied "no" and his brother made no reply.
The officer said he believed he could connect both with the charges which defence solicitor Mr Brendan McCann said would be strenuously denied by his clients.
They were remanded in custody until August 8th.