Home / Crime and Justice / Sri Lanka Court Convicts 15 in Deadly 2019 Easter Attacks
Sri Lanka Court Convicts 15 in Deadly 2019 Easter Attacks
22 Sep
Summary
- Fifteen suspects were found guilty in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
- The coordinated blasts targeted churches and hotels, killing 270 people.
- The trial concluded nearly five years after the devastating attacks.
In a significant development following nearly five years of proceedings, a Sri Lankan court has delivered a verdict in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks case. Fifteen of the 24 accused individuals were found guilty for their involvement in the coordinated suicide bombings that resulted in 270 fatalities and over 500 injuries. Nine other suspects have been acquitted by the High Court Trial-at-Bar.
The attacks, carried out on April 21, 2019, involved nine suicide bombers from the National Thawheed Jamaat, an extremist group with links to ISIS. These bombers targeted three Catholic churches and three luxury hotels across Sri Lanka. The accused faced numerous charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, including murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
The case has also highlighted political repercussions, with past leadership blamed for intelligence failures. The court's decision marks a crucial step in seeking justice for one of the nation's deadliest attacks.
