A court in Sri Lanka has convicted 15 men over their involvement in the Easter Sunday bombings of 2019, the BBC reports. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday, relates to a series of coordinated attacks that struck the country on Easter Sunday that year.
The BBC was among several outlets to report the convictions, alongside Al Jazeera, NPR, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Associated Press. Al Jazeera described its coverage as setting out what the verdict says, while the ABC noted the attack killed two Australians.
The bombings targeted churches and hotels across Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday 2019, killing more than 250 people. The attacks were carried out by suicide bombers at multiple locations, including churches in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa, as well as luxury hotels in the capital. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks, which also wounded hundreds.
The convictions mark a significant step in a long-running legal process. Sri Lankan authorities had faced criticism over intelligence failures in the lead-up to the attacks, and the case has been closely watched by victims' families and the international community.
The 15 men convicted now face sentencing, which has not yet been announced. The case is expected to continue as the court determines penalties and any appeals are considered.
