By Reuters

LUANDA (Reuters) - Four human rights activists were set to stand trial in Angola's oil producing region of Cabinda on Monday on charges linked to separatist group FLEC's attack on the Togo soccer team in January. 

The trial takes place after the exiled leaders of the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) said on Friday the group's three-decade long fight was no longer viable and offered to start talks with the government. 

Priest Raul Tati, lawyer Francisco Luemba, economist Belchior Tati and engineer Barnabe Paca Peso are accused of crimes against the the state. Their arrest was widely seen as a sign that Angolan authorities were cracking down on its critics. 

Some of the accused had links to the now banned Cabindan human rights organisation Mpalabanda and have for many years criticised both the government and the FLEC. 

"These men have been arrested simply for peacefully expressing their opinion about Cabinda, by authorities that are taking advantage of the attack on the Togolese football team to crack down on human rights defenders." Muluka-Anne Miti, Angola researcher at Amnesty International, said in a statement. 

The trial, which was originally set to take place on June 23, was delayed after one of the defendant's lawyer raised doubts about the legality of the accusations being brought against his client.

The FLEC's war against Angola's government for independence is long and complex. One grievance is that Cabindans see little of the money that comes from their land. 

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