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If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil.Ps 127:1

Church & State

High Court of Sri Lanka sentences 15 to 200-260 years in prison

First source report

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

The High Court of Sri Lanka sentenced 15 men to prison terms ranging from 200 to 260 years on September 22 for their roles in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The three-judge panel in Colombo also ordered the confiscation of the defendants' assets and property.

The convictions follow a trial lasting nearly five years involving more than 23,000 charges, including murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism. Among those convicted is Mohamed Naufar, an Islamist preacher identified by prosecutors as a ringleader, who received a 220-year sentence. The sentencing breakdown included one defendant receiving 260 years, four receiving 240 years, five receiving 220 years, and five receiving 200 years. Nine other defendants were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

The April 21, 2019, attacks targeted three churches and three luxury hotels, killing between 267 and 279 people, including 45 foreigners. While the individuals who physically carried out the suicide bombings are deceased, the defendants were charged with planning or inspiring the attacks.

Father Jude Chrysantha Fernando, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, said the verdict moves the country toward truth and justice but noted that the process of healing is ongoing. He stated that the trial addressed the perpetrators and co-organizers, but further investigation is needed to determine if any individuals facilitated the massacre for political advantage.

AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.

5 sources17 reports7 languages

Read it in Deutsch · English · Português · Tiếng Việt · Español · Nederlands · Français

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Earlier version, Friday 25 September

High Court of Sri Lanka sentences 15 to 200-260 years in prison for 2019 Easter bombings

Earlier version, Thursday 24 September

Sri Lanka High Court convicts 15 for Easter bombings

Earlier version, Thursday 24 September

High Court of Sri Lanka sentences 15 defendants to 200-260 years in prison

Earlier version, Thursday 24 September

High Court of Sri Lanka convicts 15 defendants

Earlier version, Thursday 24 September

Sri Lankan High Court sentences 15 to 200-260 years for Easter bombings

Earlier version, Thursday 24 September

Sri Lanka High Court sentences 15 to 200-260 years for Easter bombings

Earlier version, Thursday 24 September

Sri Lanka High Court sentences 15 men to prison for 2019 Easter bombings

Earlier version, Thursday 24 September

High Court of Sri Lanka sentences 15 to 200-260 years for Easter bombings

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Sep 22, 8:08 AM Vatican News Deutsch Sri Lanka: 15 Verurteilte im Prozess um Oster-Attentate
  2. Sep 22, 8:33 PM LiCAS News Sri Lanka gives 220-year terms to 15 convicted over Easter bombings
  3. Sep 23, 1:27 AM Crux Sri Lankan court sentences 15 men to life in prison for roles in deadly 2019 Easter bombings
  4. Sep 23, 4:24 AM Agenzia Fides Easter bombings: “Towards Truth and Justice”
  5. Sep 22, 11:42 PM Vatican News Português Sri Lanka: Justiça condena 15 envolvidos nos atentados da Páscoa
  6. Sep 23, 12:09 AM Catholic World News Sri Lankan court sentences 15 men to life in prison for roles in deadly 2019 Easter bombings (AP)
  7. Sep 23, 3:27 AM Vatican News Tiếng Việt Toà án Sri Lanka kết án 15 người liên can trong vụ tấn công dịp lễ Phục Sinh năm 2019
  8. Sep 23, 6:50 AM Catholic News Agency Sri Lanka jails 15 for up to 260 years over Easter Sunday church bombings
  9. Sep 23, 6:51 AM Alfa y Omega Español 15 condenados a 3.320 años de cárcel por los atentados de 2019 en Sri Lanka
  10. Sep 23, 8:13 AM National Catholic Register Sri Lanka Jails 15 for Up to 260 Years Over Easter Sunday Church Bombings
  11. Sep 23, 6:50 AM Catholic World Report Sri Lanka jails 15 for up to 260 years over Easter Sunday church bombings
  12. Sep 24, 12:11 AM LiCAS News Sri Lankan Church seeks full truth after Easter bombing convictions
  13. Sep 24, 2:40 AM Katholiek Nieuwsblad Nederlands 15 keer levenslang voor daders paasaanslagen Sri Lanka
  14. Sep 24, 6:30 AM ACI Prensa Español Sri Lanka condena a 15 personas a penas de hasta 260 años por los atentados del Domingo de Pascua
  15. Sep 24, 6:57 AM cath.ch Français Attentats de 2019 au Sri Lanka: 220 ans de prison pour 15 condamnés
  16. Sep 24, 3:35 AM ACI Digital Português Sri Lanka condena 15 a penas de até 260 anos de prisão por atentados na Páscoa de 2019
  17. Sep 24, 10:43 AM InfoCatólica Español Sri Lanka dicta las primeras condenas por los atentados del Domingo de Pascua de 2019

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