Indian confesses in missionary killing

The jeep in which Graham Staines and his two sons were burnt alive

A man has confessed to involvement in the murder of an Australian missionary, Graham Staines, in the Indian state of Orissa three years ago.

I had set fire to the vehicle in which Staines was asleep. I want to... tell everything

Mahendra Hembram

Mr Staines and his two sons were burned alive after a mob set fire to their jeep at a Christian gathering.

The killing was strongly condemned in India and around the world and was followed by other attacks on India's Christian minority.

Mahendra Hembram, one of a group of 14 on trial in the capital of Orissa, Bhubanseshwar, interrupted trial proceedings to make his confession.

"I had set fire to the vehicle in which Staines was asleep. I want to narrate details, tell everything and even identify others who were involved," Mr Hembram told the court, according to the AFP news agency.

'Villagers aware'

This is the first time any of the accused have admitted involvement.

Dara Singh - alleged to have organised the attack

Mr Hembram then gave a written submission in which he said local villagers decided to set Mr Staines' vehicle alight because they were opposed to what he called Mr Staines "exploitative" policies.

Graham Staines had spent nearly 30 years working with lepers in the area, but was accused by Hindu extremists of converting local people to Christianity.

Mr Hembram said in his submission that everybody in the village was aware of the incident.

But a BBC correspondent in Orissa says Mr Hembram did not make clear whether those involved in the killings also knew that Mr Staines was in the vehicle when they set it alight.

Wife's forgiveness

One of the 14 people on trial is Dara Singh, who is alleged to have organised the killings.

Gladys Staines chose to stay in India

Mr Singh has been linked to hardline Hindu groups although an official enquiry published in August, 1999, said there was no evidence of organised Hindu groups being behind the attack.

Graham Staines' wife, Gladys, stayed on in India with her daughter after her husband's death.

She later wrote a book, Burnt Alive: The Staines and the God They Loved.

She said she had forgiven Dara Singh in the Christian spirit.