Sri Lankan court convicts 15 over 2019 Easter bombings
publishers 4articles 4first reported 22 Sep, 19:42 UTCdeveloping since 22 Sep · 7 editions
A Sri Lankan court has convicted 15 men on terrorism-related charges over the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, imposing prison terms of more than 200 years and ordering the confiscation of their property.
The coordinated suicide attacks struck three churches holding Easter services and three luxury hotels on April 21, 2019. Around 270 people were killed and more than 500 wounded, including Sri Lankans and foreign visitors. The bombings were carried out by nine attackers linked to the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat and inspired by Islamic State; all nine died in the blasts.
The three-judge High Court panel in Colombo found 14 defendants guilty on all charges and a 15th guilty on some counts, according to The Hindu. Nine other defendants were acquitted, while another accused person died before the case reached trial. Prosecutors had filed more than 23,000 charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit terrorism, and firearms and explosives offences.
Those convicted included Naufer Moulavi, whom prosecutors said masterminded the suicide bombings, according to the BBC. Defence lawyer Kneel Maddumage said all 15 defendants intend to appeal their convictions and sentences to Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court after receiving the court records.
Catholic Church spokesman Father Jude Krishantha welcomed the verdict, saying it has brought a sense of justice to the victims.
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