NZ mosque attack suspect charged with murder
CHRISTCHURCH (AFP) — A right-wing extremist flashed a white power gesture as he faced the first of many murder charges in a New Zealand court yesterday, while a shellshocked community dug graves for 49 mosque-goers he stands accused of slaying.
Australia-born, 28-year-old Brenton Tarrant stood largely impassive in the dock wearing handcuffs and a white prison smock, as the judge read the first of what are expected to be a host of murder charges that could mean he dies in jail.
Flanked by armed police, the former personal fitness trainer gestured an upsidedown “okay,” a symbol used by white power groups worldwide.
Tarrant did not request bail and was taken into custody until his next court appearance which was scheduled for April 5.
Outside the courtroom, Christchurch residents struggled to deal with the aftermath of what is thought to be the worst act of terror against Muslims in the West.
At an old gravesite, excavators were called in to remove the vast amount of earth needed to bury the dead, although police have not yet been able to release the bodies to anxious families.
At the nearby hospital, doctors worked round the clock to treat 39 people for gunshot wounds and other injuries sustained in the attacks.
The wounded included a two-year-old boy and a fouryear-old girl, who was in critical condition.
The attack on the Al Noor and Linwood mosques has prompted an outpouring of grief and deep shock in this usually peaceful country, which prides itself on welcoming refugees fleeing violence or persecution.
Throughout the day people laid flowers at a makeshift memorial just beyond the police cordon around the Al Noor mosque, where most of the victims died.
Many were accompanied with handwritten letters laden with sadness and disbelief, from residents of what one local driver called the “city of sorrow.”
“I am so sorry that you were not safe here. Our hearts are breaking for your loss,” read one of the notes marked with a string of x-kisses.
When the police tape was lifted late yesterday, bystanders spontaneously joined police in moving the stack of bouquets further toward the mosque.
An imam who was leading prayers at the Linwood mosque at the time of the attack said the Muslim community would not be shaken by the massacre.
“We still love this country,” Ibrahim Abdul Halim said, vowing that extremists would “never ever touch our confidence.”
Across New Zealand, Kiwis responded with interfaith solidarity — crowdfunding millions of dollars, donating halal food and even offering to accompany local Muslims now scared to walk the streets.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrived in the city and, wearing a black headscarf, met with survivors and victims’ families.
Ardern said the victims came from across the Muslim world, with Turkey, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia among the countries rendering consular assistance.
At least one Saudi citizen and two Jordanians were among the dead, while five Pakistani citizens were missing.
Sahra Ahmed, a New Zealander of Somali origin, said she was touched by the PM’s gesture.