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Thursday, September 24, 2026

Extremist Parties Are Rising — And People Are Growing Concerned

On September 6, Germany's eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt held elections for its state parliament. The big winner: The right-wing AfD (Alternative for Germany) party, which garnered 43.8% of the votes; more than ever before. It's still unclear who will govern the state because the AfD does not have an absolute majority. But it was a landslide win for the AfD, whose Saxony-Anhalt branch is classified as right-wing extremist by Germany's domestic intelligence agency, and that worries many Germans. The day after the election, Chancellor Friedrich Merz from the conservative CDU said he was "deeply shocked" by the election results. "Not only did something change in Saxony-Anhalt yesterday but throughout all of Germany." Merz's CDU lost more than half its share of the ballot compared to the last state election in Saxony-Anhalt. The CDU dropped from 37.1% in 2021 to 17.2% in 2026. Two weeks later, at state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on September 20, the CDU didn't even make the 5% threshold to enter parliament. It was the first time ever for the CDU; they got only 4.9% of the vote in the northeastern state. The strongest party was once again the AfD with 38.2%. That same day, in the city state of Berlin, the socialist Left Party won the election and will likely govern Germany's capital. In Berlin, the CDU was the second-strongest party and the AfD came in third. <h2>Germans worried about rise of far-right, far-left parties</h2> These state elections show that parties on the extreme ends of the political spectrum are growing stronger in Germany. The country has experience with both extreme right- and left-wing governments: the Nazis that led Germany into World War II and the Socialist Unity Party (SED) that ruled then-East Germany from 1949 until 1989. A return to extreme politics is a scary proposition for some people. In a representative monthly survey called "What worries the world?", the polling institute Ipsos found that almost one-fifth of Germans (18%) said they were worried by growing extremism in the country when they asked about 1,000 people between the ages of 16 and 74 years in March and April 2026. Generally, people in Germany are concerned about where their country is going. In the Ipsos survey, 82% said they saw Germany as moving in the wrong direction. <h2>How to measure a country's mood</h2> Asking people about their fears or worries is just one way to take the nation's temperature. But there are many ways to measure politically relevant emotions in the population. Kerstin Pahl, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, told DW that possibilities include quantitative and qualitative surveys, as well as analyzing online discourse and the content people share on social media. It's also possible to read a nation's sentiment by observing real-life displays of emotions, like public protests and demonstrations. For researchers like Pahl, it's also interesting to see how political issues can come to symbolize much more than their material or factual meaning. "People may see their region's ailing infrastructure not just as proof of a lack of investment, but also as a sign that they have been forgotten [by their leaders]," said Pahl. <h2>Affective polarization: Political opponents become the enemy</h2> Extremist parties winning a higher percentage of the votes is what we see on the surface. Below that lie two kinds of societal polarization: Affective and ideological polarization. "Affective polarization is a growing hatred for the political opponent. Most studies investigated this in the context of the US between supporters of the Democrat and the Republican Party," Eva Walther, head of the social psychology department at the University of Trier in western Germany, told DW. "When this happens on the party level, it's a problem." Politicians of different parties often have to work together and reach compromises. They don't need to like each other, but they should treat each other with respect, Walther said. "When this respectful attitude starts crumbling, it's a problem for democracy," she added. <h2>Ideological polarization: Which problem is the most pressing?</h2> The other phenomenon, ideological polarization, is when society is split into distinct groups based on what issues people view as the most pressing problem for them. For example, many people to the right of the political center in Germany see migration as the biggest problem, while many people to the left of the political center say it's the climate crisis. When different crisis situations occur at the same time, such as migration and climate change, researchers refer to a "polycrisis." Polycrises intensify ideological polarization, making it even harder for societies to find a common way forward. "At the moment, we have the climate crisis overlapping with an affordable energy crisis, more of an economic problem," Walther said. In the eyes of those for whom the climate crisis is the most urgent issue, fossil fuels should be abandoned as soon as possible. But for those most concerned with affordable energy, relying only on renewable energy sources would needlessly raise prices. <h2>People want politicians to take their problems seriously</h2> The belief that a politician is competent and willing to tackle major challenges, to act, is a big factor in how much people trust democracy. But that's also what makes overlapping crises so hard to manage: No matter which problems politicians attempt to solve first, one part of the population will be disappointed. "Polycrises make it difficult for politicians to act, which means that people have less trust that politicians can solve the problems important to them," Walther said. Right-wing extremist parties, however, aim to "satisfy people by giving them simplified answers to complex problems," added Walther. This leads people to believe that extremist politicians can solve their problems ― which in turn leads to growing polarization. But politicians from democratic parties can learn from clinical research to tackle this dilemma, according to Walther. "When a person is in pain and goes to see a doctor, it's important that the doctor recognizes the patient's pain," she said. Even if the doctor can't instantly solve the issue and make the pain go away, showing that they take the issue and the patient seriously is crucial. And the same goes for politicians. "They need to make people's needs the first priority in their daily work," Walther said. "People want to be seen, so it's important for politicians to make it clear that they see and understand their problems." Whether it's a doctor failing a patient or politicians failing the electorate, patient and electorate are likely to scream — and that's a signal we can all read. <div id="article-hstick-inner" class="abp-story-detail "> Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live. </div>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/extremist-parties-are-rising-and-people-are-growing-concerned-1868164

Lahore HC Refuses Immediate Relief To Imran Khan’s Sisters Over Detention Orders

The Lahore High Court on Thursday declined to immediately suspend the detention orders against former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s sisters, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, and sought a report from the authorities before deciding on their plea, according to Pakistan’s Dawn. <h2>Court Seeks Authorities’ Report</h2> During the hearing, lawyers representing Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi argued that both women were non-political and had been detained without sufficient legal justification. The lawyers also pointed out that Uzma Khan had already been acquitted in a previous case and urged the court to suspend the detention orders, asper ANI news agency. The judge said the court would await an official report from the concerned authorities before deciding on the suspension plea. Notices were also issued to the respondents, seeking their replies. The petition names the Lahore Deputy Commissioner, Capital City Police Officer, Home Department secretary and superintendent of Kot Lakhpat jail as respondents, Dawn reported. <h2>Imran Khan’s Sisters Detained Ahead Of PTI Protest</h2> The legal proceedings followed the detention of Imran Khan’s three sisters — Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan — under a 30-day detention order issued by the Lahore deputy commissioner under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance. The detentions came ahead of a September 27 demonstration planned by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters seeking the release of Imran Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023 following convictions in multiple cases. The PTI has maintained that the legal proceedings against its founder are politically motivated. <h2>Punjab Imposes 13-Day Ban On Public Gatherings</h2> Ahead of the planned demonstrations, the Punjab government imposed a 13-day ban on public gatherings across the province, according to The Express Tribune. The restrictions prohibit public gatherings, processions and assemblies involving five or more people in public places, roads and open spaces. Authorities also ordered restrictions around Attock and Rawalpindi and deployed paramilitary Rangers in four districts. The notification also prohibits carrying or displaying weapons and activities aimed at provoking or encouraging people to join unauthorised gatherings. Wedding ceremonies, funeral prayers, burials and congregations inside mosques and designated places of worship have been exempted from the restrictions. According to the notification cited by The Express Tribune, law enforcement and intelligence agencies had received information about a serious security threat, including alleged plans by militant groups to target public gatherings. <h2>Imran Khan’s Son Condemns Detentions</h2> Earlier this week, Kasim Khan, <a title="Imran Khan" href="https://ift.tt/VvJKocb" data-type="interlinkingkeywords">Imran Khan</a>’s son, condemned the detention of his aunts Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi and called for international intervention. In a statement on X, Kasim alleged that his aunts and cousins had been taken away from their homes without explanation. "This is a disgrace. Now my Aunts Dr. Uzma and Noreen, along with my cousins Shershah and Shahrez, have now been abducted as well," he said. He further alleged that no reasons had been given for their arrests or information provided about their whereabouts, describing the action as "criminal behaviour" and calling for international intervention.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/lahore-hc-refuses-immediate-relief-to-imran-khan-s-sisters-over-detention-orders-1868162

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

India, other G4 nations express 'strong concern' at lack of progress on UNSC reform

United Nations, Sep 23 (PTI): The G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, India and Japan have expressed strong concern over the lack of progress on UN Security Council reform during the previous Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) session. Foreign Minister of Brazil Mauro Vieira, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Johann David Wadephul, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Motegi Toshimitsu met Tuesday on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.The G4 Joint Ministerial Statement on the Reform of the UN Security Council, issued after the meeting, noted that the Security Council is currently unable to effectively discharge its core responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. “The representativeness, legitimacy, credibility and efficacy of the UNSC are in question, the G4 statement said.They assessed that one of the key underlying reasons was the eight-decade-old architecture, which did not reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and hindered efforts to effectively address present and future challenges to peace and security.The G4 Ministers noted that the IGN framework has been largely “ineffective” in forging any concrete outcomes towards real UNSC reform despite 18 years of activities.They “expressed strong concern at the lack of progress during the previous IGN session as well. Specifically, they conveyed their serious reservations against the presentation of a so-called bridging proposal even prior to commencement of text-based negotiations.”The G4 nations regretted that the proposal does not take into account the views of a clear majority of Member States in favour of expansion in both categories of membership.They also recalled that, in accordance with the UN Charter and as reflected in the IGN mandate, consensus is not the benchmark for decision-making on Security Council reform.“Moving forward, the G4 will further collaborate and identify synergies with other reform-oriented groups with a view to developing a consolidated model that properly reflects the voice of a majority of Member States and commencing text-based negotiations as a high priority, which is the key to realising the vision of real and impactful UNSC reform,” it said.The group said that this is essential to restoring the representativeness, legitimacy, credibility and efficacy of a principal organ of the UN and to strengthening the multilateral system, with the UN at its heart, as a whole. The G4 Ministers reiterated that "discussions on reform need not be confined to the IGN and expressed their willingness to engage with the wider UN membership on this issue in other forums, including the UN General Assembly.”Reviewing the discussions in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations framework with regard to reform of the UN Security Council during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, the Ministers underlined that, given the increasingly challenging geopolitical environment, UNSC reform is more necessary than ever before.The G4 Ministers emphasised that it is crucial to implement UNSC reform at the earliest so that the Council is fit-for-purpose, truly reflecting contemporary geopolitical realities.They underscored that expansion of the UNSC in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership is central to such reform and that this position is supported by a majority of Member States. In this context, they reiterated the importance of improving the representation of the underrepresented and unrepresented regions and groups, such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean, in both these categories.They further underlined the importance of increasing participation of under-represented and unrepresented groups and regions, such as Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean.They recognised historical injustices with regard to representation in the Security Council, as well as of enhancing participation of Member States that are contributing significantly to maintaining international peace and security and to the other purposes of the United Nations.The G4 Ministers underscored their continuing support for Africa’s compelling case for enhanced representation in the UNSC, including in the permanent category of membership. PTI YAS RD RDRDRDRD(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/india-other-g4-nations-express-strong-concern-at-lack-of-progress-on-unsc-reform-1868022

UN General Assembly: Which World Leaders Are Skipping UNGA And Why

Few world leaders would miss a stage like the United Nations General Assembly. Donald Trump, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Emmanuel Macron are among those in New York for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly — or UNGA81 for short — where the speeches from the green marble lectern make headlines around the globe. That makes the no-shows all the more surprising. Here is a look at some of the leaders staying away — and why. <h2>Germany: Friedrich Merz</h2> The German chancellor, in his second year in office, would like to be much more present on the international stage and has described himself as a "foreign-policy chancellor." But domestic politics have been keeping him busy. Three German states held parliamentary elections in September and Friedrich Merz is under more pressure as chancellor and leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU) than ever before. In Saxony-Anhalt and Berlin, the CDU was firmly voted out of office, while in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern it failed to enter the state parliament at all — a first since the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany. Merz is in crisis-management mode at home and seems to want to prevent his opponents from planning a revolt in his absence. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will speak in his place. <h2>Italy: Giorgia Meloni</h2> Italy's prime minister is in a considerably stronger position than Merz but has said she needs to deal with domestic matters this week. After the NATO summit in early July, Giorgia Meloni said she had just returned from several international summits and had to tackle various issues, including some pending within Italy. She pointed out that Merz had also been absent in 2025 - she too is sending her foreign minister, Antonio Tajani. <h2>South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa</h2> The South African president has also just attended an international summit — the BRICS summit in India. He said he would not attend the UN General Assembly for health reasons: medics advised him to take time to rest and recover. His office did not disclose details about his condition. South Africa will also be represented at the UN lectern by Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola. <h2>Egypt: Abdel Fattah al-Sisi</h2> Along with Africa's largest economy, the second- and third-largest economies on the continent are also not sending their presidents to New York: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is being represented by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. Al-Sisi's office did not give a reason for his absence. During his first years in office, from 2014 onward, he regularly attended the UN General Assembly. In 2020, the event was held online because of the coronavirus pandemic and the following year it was a hybrid event, to which al-Sisi sent a pre-recorded video message. He has not attended since the General Assembly returned to in-person meetings. <h2>Nigeria: Bola Tinubu</h2> Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu is the third influential African leader to miss this year's UN General Assembly. His spokesman was quoted by Nigerian media as saying the West African country would be "fully and effectively represented" by Vice President Kashim Shettima. Tinubu, meanwhile, is on vacation: He spent time in the UK in late August before traveling to France. <h2>India: Narendra Modi</h2> Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is relatively rarely to be seen at UN General Assemblies. He last took the podium in 2021, since when the world's largest democracy has consistently sent Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar instead. According to Indian media outlets, Modi was reportedly listed as a speaker at this year's gathering before his plans changed. Why he decided not to attend is not known. <h2>China: Xi Jinping</h2> Chinese President Xi Jinping's absence is under international scrutiny this year. As this year's "High-Level Week" takes place, Xi will also be in the US but he will not be going to New York. Instead, he will head straight for Washington, some 300 kilometers away, for a full state visit, including a White House gala dinner and a military parade. Although Beijing has not framed it this way, the timing suggests that Xi is prioritizing great power diplomacy over the United Nations' multilateral forum. Xi and Trump have serious bones of contention, including over trade relations, artificial intelligence and Taiwan's security situation. <h2>Russia: Vladimir Putin</h2> Russian President Vladimir Putin has also rarely stood at the iconic podium so it comes as little surprise that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will once again speak for Russia this year. Putin ordered this by decree — and didn't offer a reason for his absence. <h2>Palestinian territories: Mahmoud Abbas</h2> Mahmoud Abbashas clocked up far more UNGA experience than any of those listed above. The president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), who has been in office since 2005, was a regular until Donald Trump's second term. But last year, the Trump administration denied him a diplomatic visa and has done so again this year. Yet, under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, the United States is committed to facilitating access to UN headquarters for foreign representatives. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, for example, is still due to speak in New York, despite the US having recently bombed Iran. In the case of the Palestinians, the US State Department recently said it was extending sanctions "that deny visas to members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority." Abbas plans to address the assembled heads of state and government by video message, as he did last year. This article was originally published in German. <div id="article-hstick-inner" class="abp-story-detail "> (Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.) </div>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/un-general-assembly-which-world-leaders-are-skipping-unga-and-why-1868016

Indian Sailor Suraj Yadav Killed After Torpedo Attack On Ship Off Oman Coast

Indian sailor Suraj Yadav from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, was killed after the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged cargo ship MV Cape Dao was attacked by torpedoes in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman, on Wednesday. The ship was carrying 28 crew members, including 20 Indians, according to reports. Yadav was deployed as a wiper on the vessel. <h2>MV Cape Dao Hit By Two Torpedoes</h2> According to reports, MV Cape Dao was travelling from Hormuz, near Oman, to India when it came under attack. The ship was reportedly struck by two torpedoes. One hit the left side of the ship's living quarters, while the other struck the left side of the engine room. The attack triggered a fire and affected the ship's electrical and navigational capabilities. The Omani Coast Guard evacuated the crew safely. <h2>Indian Embassy Confirms Attack</h2> The Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed the attack and said it was closely monitoring the situation. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Our statement on the attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman ⬇️ 🔗 <a href="https://t.co/gXzupV0MKT">https://t.co/gXzupV0MKT</a> <a href="https://t.co/GcrLw0FFmy">pic.twitter.com/GcrLw0FFmy</a> — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://ift.tt/6tUHGJl 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://ift.tt/2I1Du9C" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> In a post on X, the Embassy said, "We are closely monitoring the attack on MV Cape Dao today while it was en route to India. We are in contact with Omani authorities regarding the safety of all crew members (including 19 Indians) on board. We are deeply saddened by the death of an Indian sailor in this attack. We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family. The Embassy is working closely with RPSL. We are in touch with the family of the deceased." <h2>Suraj Yadav Succumbs To Injuries</h2> Suraj Yadav suffered a serious head injury and later succumbed to his injuries. According to reports from the Maritime Administration, Yadav's family has been informed about the incident. The other crew members were evacuated to safety in Oman. An Indian fourth engineer was also reported to have sustained minor injuries. The relevant companies are coordinating with the ship's owner and management, while a detailed report and FIR are underway. <h2>Seamen's Union Demands Accountability</h2> The Forward Seamen's Union of India expressed concern over the incident and demanded the safety of Indian sailors, accountability for the attack and justice for Suraj Yadav's family. The organisation said civilian seafarers working in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters are constantly at risk. It also announced a protest in which sailors will wear black armbands on September 25.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/hormuz-attack-indian-sailor-suraj-yadav-killed-after-ship-hit-by-two-torpedoes-1868012

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Trump Backs India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, Calls For Energy Routes To Bypass Iran

US President Donald Trump has backed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), saying the ongoing conflict in the region has highlighted the need for alternative routes to transport energy without relying on infrastructure linked to Iran. Addressing a gathering of Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump said attacks targeting commercial shipping had demonstrated the risks facing existing energy networks in the Middle East. "...Iran's terrorist attacks on commercial shipping in neighboring countries have shown the need to shift Middle East energy infrastructure away from the Iranian checkpoints. That's why my administration strongly supports the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and other places in the form of getting oil out, whether it's pipelines or anything else," Trump said. <h3>Trump Backs IMEC</h3> Trump's endorsement comes as the conflict has disrupted established shipping and energy routes in the region. He said the situation had made it increasingly important to develop infrastructure capable of moving energy through alternative pathways. The US president also presented the current moment as an opportunity for wider regional cooperation, arguing that long-standing challenges could be addressed through closer coordination among countries in the region. "Together, we're on the verge of overcoming challenges that have plagued this region for decades..." he said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Advancing efforts for a safer, more prosperous Middle East. The Gulf Cooperation Council meets in New York City. 🤝 <a href="https://t.co/wInPPW1Nrh">pic.twitter.com/wInPPW1Nrh</a> — The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://ift.tt/FoMVbGq 22, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://ift.tt/2I1Du9C" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> ALSO READ: <a title="‘I Stopped India-Pakistan War’: Trump Repeats Claim At UNGA, Says Shehbaz Thanked Him" href="https://ift.tt/76aRjtk" target="_self">‘I Stopped India-Pakistan War’: Trump Repeats Claim At UNGA, Says Shehbaz Thanked Him</a> Trump also described the leaders attending the gathering as important partners in Washington's efforts to pursue greater stability and economic prosperity across the Middle East. He said, "It is an honor to be here with some of America's greatest and closest friends, allies, and partners to continue our effort toward a safer and more prosperous Middle East." <h3>Hormuz Disruption</h3> The push for alternative energy routes comes amid disruption to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important passages for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. The conflict, which began after US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has led to a significant decline in vessel movement through the waterway. The disruption has prompted Gulf oil producers and international buyers to explore alternative options for transporting energy. Around 20 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz each day in 2025. The waterway also handled nearly one-fifth of global LNG trade, making it a critical link in international energy supply chains. Any prolonged disruption to the route can therefore affect the movement of energy and create wider implications for global markets and prices. ALSO READ: <a title="National Herald Case: Sonia-Rahul File Reply In Delhi HC, Oppose ED’s Plea" href="https://ift.tt/ZTMW7l0" target="_self">National Herald Case: Sonia-Rahul File Reply In Delhi HC, Oppose ED’s Plea</a> <h3>How IMEC Works</h3> IMEC was unveiled during the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi as a major connectivity initiative linking India, the Middle East and Europe. The proposed corridor consists of two principal routes. The Eastern Corridor is planned to connect Indian ports, including Mundra and Kandla, with major Gulf ports such as Fujairah and Jebel Ali. From the Gulf, the Northern Corridor would run across Saudi Arabia and Jordan before reaching Israel's Haifa Port. From there, the network is intended to connect with European destinations, including Piraeus and Marseille. The broader project envisages a combination of maritime shipping routes, rail and road connectivity, as well as energy and digital infrastructure. 

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-trump-backs-india-middle-east-europe-corridor-calls-for-energy-routes-to-bypass-iranian-counterpart-1867876

2019 Easter bombings: Sri Lankan court sentences 15 accused to over 200 years in prison each

Colombo, Sept 22 (PTI): A Sri Lankan court on Tuesday found 15 of the 24 accused guilty of involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide attacks, and sentenced them each to over 200 years in prison.Nine suicide bombers belonging to the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat, linked to ISIS, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three Catholic churches and as many luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, killing nearly 270 people, including 11 Indians, and injuring over 500.The fifteen accused each have been sentenced to 220 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar, adaderana news portal reported.The three-judge High Court Trial-at-Bar comprising Judges Navaratne Marasinghe, Ramanathan Kannan and Sujeewa Nissanka on Tuesday announced its verdict, convicting 15 accused, while acquitting nine others.Mohammadu Ebrahim Mohammdu Naufer alias Naufar Moulavi, the prime accused, was among those convicted by the court after the trial, which lasted nearly five years.Initially, 25 accused were charged for their role in the bombings. As one of the suspects died, 24 were indicted in October 2021.A total of 23,270 charges were filed against them, and 2,309 witnesses testified for the prosecution.The accused were charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for murder and attempted murder, conspiracy to commit terrorism, aiding and abetting, and possessing and handling firearms and explosives.Naufar's links to extremist Zaharan Hashim, the leader of the National Thowhith Jamaath, were also investigated. Hashim was one of the suicide bombers who carried out the blast at the Shangri La Hotel.In July, former police chief Pujith Jayasundera and Hemasiri Fernando, the then top bureaucrat in the Ministry of Defence, were handed the death sentence after being found guilty of criminal dereliction of duty for failing to act on prior intelligence that could have prevented the attacks.The attack stirred a political storm as then President Maithripala Sirisena and then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were blamed for their inability to prevent the attacks despite prior intelligence being made available.A presidential panel of inquiry appointed by Sirisena after the attacks ironically found the then-president guilty of his failure to prevent the attacks.Sirisena, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge in the case filed after the panel's findings.Sirisena and the top defence hierarchy were ordered to pay multiple millions of rupees as compensation to the kith and kin of the blast victims in the fundamental rights petitions verdicts delivered in 2023. PTI CORR ZH RDRD(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/2019-easter-bombings-sri-lankan-court-sentences-15-accused-to-over-200-years-in-prison-each-1867861