1 week ago
Sri Lankan Court Gives Easter Bombing Accused 220-Year Terms
A court in Sri Lanka decided a case about the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.
The attacks struck three churches and three hotels.
They killed hundreds of people and injured more than 500 others.
The men on trial were accused of helping the suicide bombers.
One report said 15 men were convicted and each received 220 years in prison.
Another report said 14 men were convicted and that sentences had not yet been announced.
This means the reports disagree about the number convicted and the timing of the sentences.
Mohamed Naufar, described as a key supporter of the attackers, was convicted.
The case involved more than 23,000 charges.
A Sri Lankan court reportedly sentenced 15 of 24 accused men to 220 years each, while another report said 14 were convicted and sentencing was pending.
The men were prosecuted over the April 21, 2019, Easter Sunday attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels.
The bombings killed 279 people according to one report, while another described the toll as nearly 270, and injured more than 500.
Prosecutors filed 23,270 charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, including murder, terrorism conspiracy, and weapons offenses.
Mohamed Naufar was among those convicted; nine other defendants were acquitted in the account reporting 15 convictions.
- Who
- Twenty-four men accused of supporting the Easter bombings, including Mohamed Naufar, were tried; reports differ on whether 14 or 15 were convicted.
- What
- A Sri Lankan High Court convicted and, according to one report, sentenced accused supporters of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings to 220 years each.
- Where
- The attacks occurred at three churches and three luxury hotels in Sri Lanka; the case was heard by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar.
- When
- The attacks occurred on April 21, 2019; the court ruling and reported sentences were announced on Tuesday, September 22.
- Why
- Prosecutors said the defendants aided and supported the suicide bombers and were involved in murder, terrorism conspiracy, and firearms and explosives offenses.
Reported Court Outcome
Conflicting Account
Number convicted
Reported Court Outcome
The PTI-based report said 15 of the 24 accused were convicted and nine were acquitted.
Conflicting Account
The other report said 14 of the 24 accused were convicted on all charges.
Sentencing status
Reported Court Outcome
The PTI-based report said each of the 15 convicted men received 220 years of rigorous imprisonment.
Conflicting Account
The other report said sentences would be announced later on Tuesday and noted that some defendants could face the death penalty.
Accountability for official failures
Reported Court Outcome
Former police chief Pujith Jayasundera and former Defence Ministry official Hemasiri Fernando were reported to have received death sentences for criminal dereliction of duty.
Conflicting Account
The report said former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were blamed politically over prior intelligence and that Sirisena pleaded not guilty.
Key facts
- Reported sentence
- One report said 15 convicted defendants each received 220 years of rigorous imprisonment.
- Conviction discrepancy
- Another report said 14 of the 24 accused were convicted, with sentences to be announced later that day.
- Attack date
- April 21, 2019.
- Reported death toll
- One report said 279 people were killed, while another described the toll as nearly 270.
- Targets
- Three Catholic churches and three luxury hotels.
- Charges
- A total of 23,270 charges were filed, including murder, attempted murder, terrorism conspiracy, and firearms and explosives offenses.
- Prosecution law
- The defendants were charged under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Sources
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