Print This Page Email This Page See Most Sent

• EXCLUSIVE: Blair Says No Surprises in Iraq • U.S. Losing Battle for Arab Public Opinion • Military Spouses Finds Ways to Stay in Touch

A judge sentenced a Swiss couple to seven years in prison on Saturday for kidnapping, molesting and sexually abusing street children in India.

William and Lily Marti of Steinhausen also were ordered to pay $106 to each of three girls. Their lawyer said they would appeal.

The couple was arrested in 2000 and charged with taking nude photographs of poor street children who approached them for food and money. They have been in jail since and that time served, more than two years, will count toward their seven-year term, Judge Mrudula Bhatkar said.

"Defense lawyers could not break the clinching evidence that the Martis were taking, possessing and exhibiting photographs. The Martis were caught red-handed," the judge said.

Police arrested the couple at an upscale Bombay resort in December 2000 while they allegedly filmed 8- and 9-year-old naked girls. The girls were among 21 witnesses who testified at the monthlong trial.

Prosecutors have alleged that the couple lured the children with toys, clothes and food. The pornographic photos were distributed on Web sites, they said.

The 59-year-old William Marti is an auditor in Switzerland; Lily Marti, 56, is a nurse.

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.