For Mary Braun, 53, it was the sixth arson conviction. Tina Zmaeff, 60, has three previous convictions for arson and three for attempted arson.

Braun and Zmaeff had no legal representation and offered no defence except that they were "messengers from God."

The small courtroom was packed with between 30 and 40 supporters of Braun and Zmaeff, who sang hymns in Russian during breaks.

NELSON, B.C. (CP) Two Sons of Freedom Doukhobor women, freed from prison after promising not to set fires, were found guilty of arson yesterday.

For Mary Braun, 53, it was the sixth arson conviction. Tina Zmaeff, 60, has three previous convictions for arson and three for attempted arson.

They were handcuffed, taped into chairs and covered with blankets to prevent their disrobing or otherwise disrupting the court proceedings.

They will be sentenced today for burning a house in Gilpin, a tiny settlement east of Grand Forks in southeastern B.C., on April 13, 1984.

Braun and Zmaeff had no legal representation and offered no defence except that they were "messengers from God."

The Gilpin fire occurred 5 1/2 months after they had received a conditional pardon and been released from prison, where they had held a protest hunger strike to the point of death. The condition of their release was a promise to keep the peace.

William Sarasin, the occupant of the house, told the court that when he asked Braun and Zmaeff why they had burned the house, they replied only: "Forgive us."

The owner of the house, Cecil Konkin of Grand Forks, estimated the damage at $13,000. He said he had no insurance.

Four women were taken into custody, but only Braun and Zmaeff were charged.

Crown attorney Scott Van Alstine outlined the previous convictions and urged county court Judge R. S. K. Wong to impose a lengthy prison sentence.

The small courtroom was packed with between 30 and 40 supporters of Braun and Zmaeff, who sang hymns in Russian during breaks.