New Zealand mosque attack: Brenton Tarrant charged with terrorism offence

51 people died in the Christchurch mosque attacks
REUTERS

New Zealand police have filed a terrorism charge against the man accused of killing 51 people at two Christchurch mosques.

Police said they have charged 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant with engaging in a terrorist act after the March 15 shootings.

The charge comes with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and will be a test case for New Zealand's terrorism laws, which came on to the books in 2002.

Police said that they also charged Tarrant with an additional count of murder, bringing the total number of charges against him to 92 – 51 charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of terrorism.

Police informed victims' families and survivors of the new charges at a meeting with police at a meeting on Tuesday attended by more than 200 people.

It comes after a Turkish man who was wounded in the attack died earlier this month in Christchurch Hospital.

"The charge will allege a terrorist act was carried out in Christchurch on 15 March 2019 and follows consultation between Police, Crown Law and the Christchurch Crown Solicitors Office," New Zealand police said in a statement.

Tarrant was arrested on March 15 after the mass shootings at two mosques which left 51 people dead and dozens injured. He was initially charged with one count of murder.

The suspected white supremacist is accused of storming in during Friday prayers with a number of high-powered weapons, and live-streaming the attack online.

New Zealand: Christchurch shootings - In pictures

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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said he had been in possession of a "category A" gun licence, obtained in 2017, which allowed him to legally obtain the weapons in December 2017.

He was not on any watchlists prior to the shootings – the single-worst terrorist attack carried out by an Australian.

Tarrant is being held at a maximum security prison in Auckland and has appeared at the Christchurch High Court via video link.

The 28-year-old did not apply for bail or for the suppression of his name at a court appearance in March 16. He was also seen to have made a hand gesture linked to white supremacy as he entered the room, shackled and dressed in white prison clothes.

At a subsequent court hearing on April 5, high court judge Justice Cameron Mander ordered a mental health assessment to determine Tarrant's fitness to enter a plea and stand trial.

Judge Mander said nothing should be read into his order, as it was a normal step in such a case.

Tarrant previously said he wanted to represent himself, and was not required to enter a plea.

He is due back in court in June.

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