21.   Their case came amid increasing efforts by Romanian officials to stop illegal adoptions and trafficking in children.

22.   They were sentenced in line with recent tough Romanian laws on illegal adoptions.

23.   Three intermediaries in the illegal adoption and the parents, under-age gypsies, are also in the dock.

24.   Magno da Silva said she was surprised at the US outburst, noting that her series dealt mostly with illegal adoptions of Brazilian children in Europe and Israel.

25.   Legislation to increase the punishment for illegal adoption and strengthen the role of the CAR is pending.

26.   Romanian political circles, commenting the case, said that the country was facing a worrying increase in the number of illegal adoptions.

27.   Romanian officials have been fighting to stop illegal adoptions and trafficking in children.

28.   Romanian newspapers have reported a number of illegal adoptions by foreigners, but this is the first case to reach the courts.

29.   The Brazilian government created a special commission Thursday to investigate allegations of trafficking in human organs and illegal adoptions of babies by foreign couples.

30.   The couple, who are forbidden to leave the country, face up to five years in prison for illegal adoption and attempted child smuggling.