Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Bombings Put Focus on Islamist Preacher Long on the Radar

4/26/19
from The Wall Street Journal,
4/26/19:

Warnings before Easter bombings and investigation of attacks spotlight founder of radical group

On April 9, Sri Lanka’s intelligence services warned the island nation’s police about Zahran Hashim, a local Muslim who preached hard-line Islamist views, saying he and his associates were planning to carry out a terrorist attack. The alert said the group was targeting churches and had already scouted locations. Then, Sunday, suicide bombers struck three Christian houses of worship and three luxury hotels, leaving more than 250 people dead. Mr. Hashim, who had gained notoriety for fiery online sermons, promoted the idea of a Muslim caliphate and questioned democracy as a form of government, two intelligence officials said.

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