Sri Lankan court sentences 15 men to life in prison for roles in deadly 2019 Easter bombings

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A Sri Lankan court convicted 15 men on Tuesday for helping to organize the 2019 Easter bombings on churches and hotels that killed 267 people, sentencing them each to at least 200 years in prison after a trial that lasted more than five years.

Another nine men were freed after being acquitted of similar charges in the same trial.

The April 21 attacks, which were inspired by the Islamic State group , were among the deadliest attacks in Sri Lanka’s history. They targeted three churches and three hotels across the island nation during Easter services and celebrations.

The dead included 42 foreigners, and the attacks also wounded 574 people and devastated communities across the country.

The verdict was delivered amid tight security, with hundreds of police officers deployed around the courthouse. The three-judge High Court panel also ordered the property of the defendants confiscated under the country’s tough anti-terror law.

Defendants were accused of planning or inspiring bombing attacks

None of those believed to have directly participated in the attacks are…