State media in the United Arab Emirates says the nation's top court expects to issue a verdict next month in the trial of 30 suspects charged with having links to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.

The official WAM news agency says defense lawyers presented oral arguments calling for an acquittal in the case Tuesday before the state security division of the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi.

The 20 Egyptians and 10 Emiratis on trial have denied charges against them, which include trying to obtain security data, establishing an illegal branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and collecting donations without permission.

The trial is part of a broader crackdown on Islamist opposition groups in Arab Gulf countries.

The news agency says the court expects to issue its verdict on January 21.