The Colombo High Court marked a significant step on Friday, August 11th, as the reading of charges against Naufer Mawlawi and 23 co-defendants related to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks came to an end.
In a session presided over by a three-judge panel, comprising Justices Damith Thotawatte, Amal Ranaraja, and Navaratne Marasinghe, the charges were solemnly read out in the presence of the accused individuals.
The case, filed by the Attorney General, encompasses a total of 24 defendants, including prominent names such as Naufer Mawlawi, Sajid Mawlawi, Mohammed Milhan, Sadiq Abdullah, Adam Lebbe, Mohammed Sanasdeen, and Mohammed Rizwan. These individuals collectively face a staggering 23,270 charges, encompassing accusations of aiding, abetting, and conspiring in connection with the harrowing 2019 terror attack.
Under the framework of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the charges span a broad spectrum of allegations, ranging from conspiring to commit murder and aiding and abetting to the collection of arms and ammunition, and even attempted murder.
With this significant phase completed, the legal process now gears towards the next steps. The forthcoming hearing for this case is scheduled for October 10, where the continued proceedings will continue to unfold.
In a separate development, the court has issued summons to former CID Director, DIG P. Ampawila, requiring his presence before the court on the aforementioned October 10 date. This summons underscores the comprehensive nature of the investigation and the breadth of individuals involved in the legal process.
The culmination of the charges reading is a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice and accountability following the tragic events of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. As the legal process unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the importance of a thorough and meticulous approach to address such profound incidents and their far-reaching implications.
