Moscow: Two Russian citizens of Pakistani origin, who allegedly abducted nine illegal immigrants from India a year ago, went on trial in Moscow on today (Dec 22, 2003).

Pakistan-born brothers Maqsood Ahmad and Halid Nadeem Bhut, produced before the Kuzminki district court in Moscow, could face up to 12 years imprisonment if convicted in the abduction case.

The Russian security service sleuths, on January 20 2003, freed the Indians from the rented house of Bhut brothers in the nearby town of Tula.

For over a month, the Indians were kept on a lean diet and were forced to make calls to India to pay $ 3,200 per person for their release.

According to FSB press office, the Pakistani brothers, who took Russian citizenship sometime back, were linked to an international racket operating in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh for transhipping illegal immigrants to the West through Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

International warrants have been issued to nab other members of the group.