DUBAI ( CNN ) -- A court in Dubai sentenced two men Wednesday to 15 years in prison for the rape and kidnapping of a 15-year-old French boy . Veronique Robert , mother of the 15-year-old French-Swiss teen , speaking outside a court in Dubai . The boy 's mother , Veronique Robert , was visibly upset after the sentence was read and promised to appeal . Robert , a French journalist , brought the case to the media 's attention in recent months in an effort to shed light on what she deemed to be injustices in the pro-Western emirate of Dubai . Robert said Wednesday 's sentence was too lenient for a crime that she believes is tantamount to attempted murder because one of her son 's attackers was knowingly HIV-positive at the time of the rape . She refrained from asking the death penalty for her son 's attackers , but said she hoped the sentence would be much longer . A spokesman for the Dubai government , Habib al Mulla , told CNN the sentence was in accordance with international standards and was not lenient . `` Today 's verdict has proven that the system is efficient and is fair to all parties involved , '' al Mulla said . The case began in July , when the two men , 36 and 18 , kidnapped and raped the French teenager at knifepoint . Robert contacted French diplomats , who took up the allegations with Dubai authorities . Al Mulla said police action was swift and arrests were made within 24 hours . But Robert has said the case was botched from the start , beginning with her son 's examination by a doctor who said her son was gay . Homosexuality in Dubai is illegal , and the teen could have faced as much as a year in prison . Robert 's son has since returned to France and was not in court for Wednesday 's sentencing . Robert has also said Dubai authorities repeatedly concealed evidence -- confirmed in court papers -- that one of the attackers was HIV-positive . Robert said her son , who is still awaiting test results to find out whether he has the virus , could have gotten treatment much sooner had they known . Dubai authorities deny any evidence was concealed . The case has shed light on Dubai 's attitudes toward rape and homosexuality , which some Western observers have said is outdated . Al Mulla , however , said Wednesday 's sentencing and the government 's handling of the case proves the country 's system works . `` It 's today 's verdict which proves that there is a system , '' al Mulla said . `` The system is working properly . However , if there is any room for any improvement in the system , we 'll definitely look into it , consider it , and if there 's any room for improvement , we 'll implement it . '' The mother has already filed suit in courts in Paris and Geneva , Switzerland seeking compensation from Sheikh Khalifa , president of the United Arab Emirates , and the prime minister and vice president of Dubai , Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum . She is also suing others , including the Dubai police chief . Robert started a Web site over the summer , boycottdubai.com , demanding better treatment for children who suffer sexual assault there . At a press conference last month , she proclaimed , `` We are here because I just would like first justice for my son ; and second for every girl and boy who was raped and even had no chance to speak . '' Robert said she will drop all her pending cases if the government sets up rape clinics , recognizes the status of rape victims , and takes precautions after rape against sexually-transmitted diseases . In the wake of Wednesday 's verdict , Robert said a Dubai government official told her the emirate plans to open its first rape clinic , which she said was a small victory . The government has not yet officially announced its plans to open such a facility . Al Mulla told CNN that Dubai believes a reception center for rape victims is `` a good solution . '' `` We are considering it , '' he said , regarding Robert 's request . `` We believe it 's good . It 's good for the victims , and it 's good for the whole system . '' E-mail to a friend . CNN correspondent Wilf Dinnick contributed to this report .
Dubai court sentences two men to 15 years for rape , kidnapping of 15-year-old boy . One of the attackers was knowingly HIV-positive at the time of the rape . Comment: Family say case investigation botched , want more severe sentence .