GENEVA, Aug 22, 2008 (AFP) - Two Russians who carried out armed robberies in which jewellery worth 1.2 million euros (1.7 million dollars) was stolen have been jailed in Switzerland.

The pair, who received sentences of four years and three years and nine months, held up jewellery shops in Interlaken and Montreux last year, a regional court heard.

The court said the two acted on behalf of a criminal organisation although they refused to give names to investigators for fear of reprisals against their families in Russia.

During the attacks, the men tied up staff after threatening them with a gun and a knife.