Mary Braun, 72, and Tina Jmaeff, 65, were each found guilty of one count of mischief. Both had been on parole on eight-year sentences for burning a Doukhobor home in 1985.

"There is nothing your honor can do to stop her or change her. Period," Crown counsel Dana Urban told the judge. Urban cited 15 arson-related convictions on Braun's record since 1971. Both women are members of the Sons of Freedom, a radical sect of the Doukhobors, who believe arson is a form of spiritual cleansing.

NELSON - Two Doukhobor women on parole for arson were sent back to prison yesterday for setting more fires.

Mary Braun, 72, and Tina Jmaeff, 65, were each found guilty of one count of mischief. Both had been on parole on eight-year sentences for burning a Doukhobor home in 1985.

Provincial court judge David Lunn gave Braun a year in jail for lighting a fire in an RCMP Jeep April 19 in Grand Forks.

The judge heard that Braun - carrying fuel oil, matches and paper - had refused to leave a Doukhobor church office.

When she was carried out and locked in the RCMP vehicle, she took off her skirt and lit it with matches hidden in her socks.

"There is nothing your honor can do to stop her or change her. Period," Crown counsel Dana Urban told the judge. Urban cited 15 arson-related convictions on Braun's record since 1971. Both women are members of the Sons of Freedom, a radical sect of the Doukhobors, who believe arson is a form of spiritual cleansing.

"She is not acting on religious grounds, she is committing crimes," Urban told the court.

Jmaeff was arrested for mischief the following day for setting a fire in the cell of the RCMP building while visiting Braun, her "spiritual sister," the court heard.

The judge gave her 30 days in jail. The women will also serve the 27 months remaining on their earlier jail terms.

"The important part of these sentences is that they are consecutive," said Urban outside court. "These women will be out of the community and in prison substantially longer."

The women carried on the tradition of appearing in court nude. Both women have been fasting since they were arrested.

Supporters of the two women packed the courtroom.

"These women aren't going to last," friend Laura Savinkoff said. "They've been fasting three weeks and they're in very bad shape."