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Sri Lanka attacks: Who were the bombers? | Sri Lanka attacks: Who were the bombers? |
(2 days later) | |
Two of the nine bombers in Sri Lanka were the sons of a wealthy and well-known spice trader, local police sources have told the BBC. | Two of the nine bombers in Sri Lanka were the sons of a wealthy and well-known spice trader, local police sources have told the BBC. |
All but one of the nine have been identified and most came from "middle or upper middle class" families. | All but one of the nine have been identified and most came from "middle or upper middle class" families. |
UK officials have told the BBC they think it is highly likely that the Islamic State group (IS) was linked to the bombings - but it remains unclear whether it inspired, planned or directed the attacks. | UK officials have told the BBC they think it is highly likely that the Islamic State group (IS) was linked to the bombings - but it remains unclear whether it inspired, planned or directed the attacks. |
Some 32 Sri Lankan nationals are known to have joined IS in Iraq and Syria. | Some 32 Sri Lankan nationals are known to have joined IS in Iraq and Syria. |
As the sweeping investigation into the Easter Sunday bombings - which hit churches and hotels, killing at least 250 people - continues, here is what we know about the suspects. | |
Spice trader's sons | Spice trader's sons |
Two of the bombers were the sons of spice trader Mohammad Yusuf Ibrahim who is based in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo. | Two of the bombers were the sons of spice trader Mohammad Yusuf Ibrahim who is based in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo. |
One of them detonated his explosives at the city's Shangri-La hotel while breakfast was being served. The other targeted the restaurant at the high-end Cinnamon Grand hotel which is a short distance away. | One of them detonated his explosives at the city's Shangri-La hotel while breakfast was being served. The other targeted the restaurant at the high-end Cinnamon Grand hotel which is a short distance away. |
Their father has been arrested and is now in custody. | Their father has been arrested and is now in custody. |
His daughter-in-law detonated explosives during a police raid at the family's villa on Sunday, apparently to avoid arrest. | His daughter-in-law detonated explosives during a police raid at the family's villa on Sunday, apparently to avoid arrest. |
Several people, including children and police officers, were reportedly killed in that blast. | Several people, including children and police officers, were reportedly killed in that blast. |
The family's wealthy background matches the description of the attackers given by the authorities. | The family's wealthy background matches the description of the attackers given by the authorities. |
"They are financially quite independent and their families are quite stable financially," Deputy Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene said at a press conference on Wednesday. | "They are financially quite independent and their families are quite stable financially," Deputy Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene said at a press conference on Wednesday. |
Former student | Former student |
One of the attackers studied in the UK, officials say. | One of the attackers studied in the UK, officials say. |
Abdul Latif Jamil Mohammed visited south-east England in 2006-7 to study but did not complete a full university degree, a senior Whitehall official told the BBC. | Abdul Latif Jamil Mohammed visited south-east England in 2006-7 to study but did not complete a full university degree, a senior Whitehall official told the BBC. |
He reportedly studied aerospace engineering at Kingston University. | He reportedly studied aerospace engineering at Kingston University. |
He later studied in Australia before returning to Sri Lanka. | He later studied in Australia before returning to Sri Lanka. |
"I can confirm the suicide bomber had been in Australia," the country's prime minister, Scott Morrison, said on Thursday. "They departed in early 2013." | "I can confirm the suicide bomber had been in Australia," the country's prime minister, Scott Morrison, said on Thursday. "They departed in early 2013." |
He added: "They had a spouse and child visa at that time as well but they had not returned to the country." | He added: "They had a spouse and child visa at that time as well but they had not returned to the country." |
Suspected ringleader | Suspected ringleader |
Islamist preacher Zahran Hashim is suspected of being the bombers' ringleader. Police do not know whether he detonated one of the suicide bombs or is still at large. | Islamist preacher Zahran Hashim is suspected of being the bombers' ringleader. Police do not know whether he detonated one of the suicide bombs or is still at large. |
An IS video that was released after the group said it had carried out the attacks appears to feature him prominently. | An IS video that was released after the group said it had carried out the attacks appears to feature him prominently. |
In the video, he can reportedly be seen pledging allegiance to the group's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. | In the video, he can reportedly be seen pledging allegiance to the group's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. |
The UK government believes it is highly likely IS were linked to the bombings although the full extent of the group's role is not clear, officials have told the BBC. | The UK government believes it is highly likely IS were linked to the bombings although the full extent of the group's role is not clear, officials have told the BBC. |
Sri Lanka's Muslim community have said they warned the authorities about Mr Hashim for years prior to the attacks. | Sri Lanka's Muslim community have said they warned the authorities about Mr Hashim for years prior to the attacks. |
"This person was a loner and he had radicalised young people," Hilmy Ahamed, vice-president of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, told AFP news agency, | "This person was a loner and he had radicalised young people," Hilmy Ahamed, vice-president of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, told AFP news agency, |
"Nobody thought these people were capable of carrying out an attack of such magnitude," he added. | "Nobody thought these people were capable of carrying out an attack of such magnitude," he added. |
Mr Hashim's sister told the BBC: "I came to know about his actions only through the media. Even for a moment, I never thought that he would do such a thing. | Mr Hashim's sister told the BBC: "I came to know about his actions only through the media. Even for a moment, I never thought that he would do such a thing. |
"I strongly deplore what he has done. Even if he is my brother, I cannot accept this. I'm not worried about him anymore." | "I strongly deplore what he has done. Even if he is my brother, I cannot accept this. I'm not worried about him anymore." |