Sri Lanka begins trial of 24 men for 2019 Easter bombings

The High Court of Colombo is set to begin the trial of 24 men accused of involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people and injured many others across Sri Lanka. The coordinated suicide attacks targeted three luxury hotels and three churches, involving a homegrown Islamist extremist group.

Prosecutors have filed 23,270 charges in what is described as the largest number of charges ever filed in a single case in the country. The indictments include murder, conspiracy to commit terrorism, and the possession of firearms and explosives. Prosecutors allege that Mohamed Naufar acted as the ringleader of the operation.

While the defendants have denied involvement, convictions could potentially lead to death sentences. However, Sri Lanka has not carried out an execution since 1976, and capital sentences are typically converted to life imprisonment.