Sinestro revealed that this was all just a plan so that the Guardians would enable lethal force and the Green Lanterns would become feared. Hal didn't believe him but Sinestro claimed victory. Hal regretfully told his old mentor that he was to be executed for his crimes. However, even though Sinestro was imprisoned and had received a death sentence, no execution date was set for Sinestro. Atrocitus, Abin Sur's murderer and founder/leader of the newly formed Red Lanterns, had also become fixated on ending Sinestro's life. The guardians ordered for Sinestro to be taken back to Korugar for his execution, but a group of Sinestro Corps members intercepted Sinestro's escort and began an attempt to free him. The escape is thwarted when Atrocitus and his Red Lanterns show up and begin to attack both sides. In the midst of the battle, a Blue Lantern named Saint Walker appeared and told Hal Jordan that Sinestro's survival is crucial in order to stop The Blackest Night.
Sinestro is then taken by the Red Lanterns to Ysmault, Atrocitus's home world and Red Lantern "headquarters". Sinestro is nailed to a cross to await his execution at the hands of Atrocitus. Atrocitus intends to make Sinestro suffer greatly by taking his revenge on everything Sinestro has ever cared about, including Sinestro's home planet of Korugar, and Sinestro's previously hidden daughter. Sinestro is also used by Atrocitus as a trap to lure in Hal Jordan and the Blue Lanterns that are with him to the Red Lanterns. Atrocitus and his Red Lanterns then ambush Hal and the Blue Lanterns as they arrive, giving Sinestro and his Corps a much needed diversion to break free. As Hal is trying to talk sense into the Red Lantern Laira to hopefully save her from the negative effects of the Red Lantern ring she is wearing, Sinestro kills her with a blast through the chest. Laira's death then makes
Hal so consumed with rage that he is chosen by Laira's then departing Red Lantern ring and becomes a Red Lantern. Due to the effects of the Red Lanterns ring, Hal begins to go berserk and attempts to kill Sinestro himself. Saint Walker, the Blue Lantern who told Hal that Sinestro was crucial for ending the Blackest Night, intervenes and puts an end to Hal's rampage by placing a Blue Lantern ring on Hal's hand over the Red Lantern ring. This destroys the Red Lantern ring and makes Hal a "hybrid" Green/Blue Lantern and saves Sinestro from Hal's rage. Sinestro then escapes the planet with his Sinestro Corps and must head back to his home world, Korugar, to see to some family business.
