21 Jul 2009

Main suspect pleads guilty to Mumbai attacks

6:19 am on 21 July 2009

The leading suspect in the deadly attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai last November has pleaded guilty.

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab is reported to have stood up and told the court how the attacks were carried out.

Mr Qasab, a Pakistani, 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.

Prosecutors say Mr Qasab is the sole surviving attacker.

"We were not expecting this. We were all shocked when he made a plea of guilt," Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.

"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."