Court convicts 15 of 24 defendants in Easter attacks trial

The Colombo High Court convicted 15 of 24 defendants on September 22 in a trial concerning the April 21, 2019, Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. The attacks targeted three churches and three luxury hotels, resulting in 279 deaths, including 45 foreigners.

Among those found guilty is Mohamed Naufer Moulavi, whom the prosecution identified as a leader of the group that supported the eight-member suicide commando unit. The court acquitted nine other defendants and ordered their release.

The verdict concluded a trial lasting nearly five years that addressed more than 23,270 charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit terrorism, and the possession of explosives and firearms under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. This proceeding served as the primary criminal case against those accused of planning or co-organizing the deadliest attacks against civilians in Sri Lankan history.