Range of people charged since shootings

AUCKLAND: Several New Zealanders are now facing criminal charges after allegedly inciting fear and violence following the Christchurch terror attacks.

Fifty people were killed in last Friday’s attacks at the Al Noor mosque and the Linwood mosque.

Fifty more people were wounded.

In the days since, police have arrested several people, including a 25yearold Auckland man who is accused of threatening members of the public.

The man allegedly addressed people in Mt Roskill and said: ‘‘I’m going to kill someone . . . F*** New Zealand.’’

He appeared in the Auckland District Court on Tuesday and has been charged with offensive behaviour or language.

He was remanded in custody and will appear in court again next month.

In Palmerston North a man was spoken to by police after standing outside a mosque while wearing a singlet with a swastika emblazoned on it.

Police confirmed yesterday a Whanganui man was ‘‘moved on’’ after a short time outside the Manawatu Islamic Centre on Monday.

While the man would not be charged, police said his details had been entered into its intelligence system.

A Facebook livestream video of the attacks in Christchurch, meanwhile, has been classified as objectionable by the Chief Censor’s Office.

Police have warned several times this week that it is now an offence to distribute or possess the video under the Films Videos and Publications Classifications Act.

It is understood two people have so far been charged over the gunman’s video.

Christchurch businessman Philip Neville Arps appeared in court on Wednesday to face charges of distributing the footage.

The 44yearold was refused bail and remanded in custody until his next appearance next month.

Arps is also the director of an insulation company which is under scrutiny for having a Nazi symbol as its logo, which was also featured in the alleged terrorist’s manifesto.

An 18yearold Christchurch man was also accused of sharing the gunman’s livestream on the day of the attacks and faces two charges and up to 14 years behind bars.

The teen, who was granted interim name suppression when he appeared in court on Monday, is also accused of allegedly posting a photo of one of the mosques attacked with the message ‘‘target acquired’’.

The young man, police allege, sent further chat messages ‘‘inciting extreme violence’’. He has been remanded in custody until a court appearance next month.

A Wairarapa woman was also was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial disharmony after a message was posted to her Facebook page.

Police said on Wednesday a decision was still to be made about whether the woman, believed to be in her late 20s, will be charged.