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Mosque attacker charged with murder, NZ to change gun laws

CHRISTCHURCH (NZ):A right-wing extremist who filmed himself rampaging through two mosques in the quiet New Zealand city of Christchurch killing

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Christchurch (NZ), March 16

A right-wing extremist who filmed himself rampaging through two mosques in the quiet New Zealand city of Christchurch killing 

49 worshippers appeared in court on a murder charge on Saturday.

Australian-born 28-year-old Brenton Tarrant appeared in the dock wearing handcuffs and a white prison shirt, sitting impassively as the judge read a single murder charge against him. A raft of further charges are expected.

A former fitness instructor and self-professed fascist, Tarrant did not request bail and was taken into custody until his next court appearance scheduled for April 5.

Fortytwo persons are still being treated in hospital for injuries, including a four-year-old child, after an attack thought to be the deadliest directed against Muslims in the West in modern times.

Outside the court, guarded by heavily armed police in body armour, the sons of 71-year-old Afghan man Daoud Nabi demanded justice.

"It's outrageous, the feeling is outrageous," he said. "It's beyond imagination."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that the victims were from across the Muslim world, with Turkey, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia among the countries rendering consular assistance.

One Saudi citizen was killed and another wounded, according to Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television news channel.

At least two Jordanians were among the dead, according to Jordanian foreign minister, while Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Mohammed Faisal said five citizens of his country were missing.

Ardern described the spree killing as a terrorist attack and said the shooter who was not on any watchlist and did not have a criminal record, had legally purchased the two semi-automatic weapons, two shotguns and lever-action gun he used. "The offender was in possession of a gun licence, which he had obtained in November 2017," she said.

"I can tell you one thing right now — our gun laws will change," Ardern vowed.

Tributes pour in

US President Donald Trump condemned the "horrible massacre" in which "innocent people have so senselessly died", but denied that the problem of right-wing extremism was widespread. Australian PM Scott Morrison described the gunman as "an extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist". — AFP


Trump dismisses white nationalism threat

US President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed concerns that the massacre by an apparent white supremacist in New Zealand indicates a dangerous trend. AFP

Remorseless smirk

Brenton Tarrant, the main suspect, showed no remorse as he appeared in a court here on Saturday and smirked as the judge read a single murder charge against him. The right-wing extremist, who filmed himself during the Friday rampage, appeared before the Christchurch district court in a white prison jumpsuit, handcuffed and barefoot. IANS


The mere fact that this individual had acquired a gun licence and acquired weapons of that range, then obviously I think people will be seeking change, and I'm committed to that. I can tell you one thing right now — our gun laws will change — Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister, NZ

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