The trial of six men accused of the gang-rape and robbery of a 39-year-old Swiss cyclist on vacation in India has begun, police said.

The six were detained soon after the attack two weeks ago in a remote, forested area in Datia district in the central state of Madhya Pradesh where the woman was camping with her husband.

The trial opened with two prosecution witnesses recording statements and identifying possessions stolen from the Swiss couple that were recovered by police, the Press Trust of India reported. The Swiss couple were not present at the proceedings and the court is likely to ask them to appear before it, the news agency said.

Judge Jitendra Kumar Sharma said the next hearing will be held later this month when another prosecution witness, who helped the victim, will testify.

AFP