Verdict in India 'diamond smuggling' case

A court in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen has handed down a verdict in a case involving 22 Indians found guilty of smuggling diamonds.

Thirteen men will be deported, while the remaining nine will be sent to prison, reports say.

They were allegedly working as "carriers" for a group involved in smuggling diamonds from Hong Kong to China, reports said.

Many jewellers in Shenzhen hire Indians to source supplies.

The court said 13 of the Indian traders would be deported to India next week. Nine others will serve jail terms ranging between three and six years, reports said.

Indian officials have welcomed the verdict and assured all help to the 13 men who will be deported.

Customs officials in Shenzhen had conducted a raid in January 2010 following an investigation into a local smuggling ring.

Following the raid, some 33 foreigners, including 22 Indians, were arrested.