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Main Mumbai suspect pleads guilty | Main Mumbai suspect pleads guilty |
(10 minutes later) | |
The leading suspect in last November's deadly attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) has pleaded guilty. | The leading suspect in last November's deadly attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) has pleaded guilty. |
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab is reported to have stood up before the court and admitted his role in the killings. | Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab is reported to have stood up before the court and admitted his role in the killings. |
Mr Qasab is charged on 86 counts, including waging war against India, murder and possessing explosives. | Mr Qasab is charged on 86 counts, including waging war against India, murder and possessing explosives. |
It is not clear why he has changed his plea. In May, he pleaded not guilty to all charges. More than 170 people died in the attacks, nine of them gunmen. | It is not clear why he has changed his plea. In May, he pleaded not guilty to all charges. More than 170 people died in the attacks, nine of them gunmen. |
Prosecutors say Mr Qasab is the sole surviving attacker. | Prosecutors say Mr Qasab is the sole surviving attacker. |
"Yes, he has pleaded guilty in court today [Monday] for the November attacks during a hearing," Reuters news agency quoted Rakesh Maria, a senior police officer, as saying. | "Yes, he has pleaded guilty in court today [Monday] for the November attacks during a hearing," Reuters news agency quoted Rakesh Maria, a senior police officer, as saying. |
MAIN QASAB CHARGES Waging war on IndiaMurderConspiracy to murderDestabilising the governmentKidnapRobberySmuggling and possessing illegal arms and explosives Suspect relaxed in court | MAIN QASAB CHARGES Waging war on IndiaMurderConspiracy to murderDestabilising the governmentKidnapRobberySmuggling and possessing illegal arms and explosives Suspect relaxed in court |
Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said: "We were not expecting this. We were all shocked when he made a plea of guilt. | Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said: "We were not expecting this. We were all shocked when he made a plea of guilt. |
"It is for the court to decide whether to accept his plea or not. It was all of a sudden. The court is now recording his plea." | "It is for the court to decide whether to accept his plea or not. It was all of a sudden. The court is now recording his plea." |
According to reports, Mr Qasab stood up during his trial in court and addressed the judge. | According to reports, Mr Qasab stood up during his trial in court and addressed the judge. |
"Sir, I plead guilty to my crime," he said. | "Sir, I plead guilty to my crime," he said. |
According to reports, he gave details of his journey from Pakistan, the attacks at a historic railway station in Mumbai and the city's Cama hospital. | According to reports, he gave details of his journey from Pakistan, the attacks at a historic railway station in Mumbai and the city's Cama hospital. |
Mr Qasab's lawyer said he had nothing to do with the confession. | Mr Qasab's lawyer said he had nothing to do with the confession. |
It is not clear what prompted the apparent admission of guilt. | It is not clear what prompted the apparent admission of guilt. |
Police say Mr Qasab confessed before a magistrate to the attacks after his arrest, but he retracted that confession at an early hearing. | |
His lawyers said it had been coerced. |