Christchurch attacker charged with terrorism

Tuesday, 21 May 2019 10:42

The man accused of killing 51 people in the Christchurch mosque attacks will be formally charged with terrorism.

“The charge will allege that a terrorist act was carried out in Christchurch,” New Zealand police in a statement.

They said the decision to lay the terror charge was made after consulting prosecutors and government legal experts.

Brenton Tarrant also faces 51 charges of murder and 40 of attempted murder over the March 15 attacks.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has called the mosque attacks "one of New Zealand's darkest days".

More from International

Russian drone strike kills 12 miners in Ukraine

At least 12 people were killed and seven wounded after a Russian drone struck a bus carrying miners in Ukraine's southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, energy firm DTEK and government officials said on Sunday.
Five-year-old boy returns to Minnesota after ICE release

Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father have returned to their home in a Minneapolis suburb after being detained by US immigration officers and held at a detention facility in Texas, a lawmaker said on Sunday.
Reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing expected Monday

Gaza's main border crossing in Rafah will reopen for Palestinians on Monday, Israel said, with preparations underway at the war-ravaged enclave's main gateway that has been largely shut for almost two years.
Winter storm death toll in United States reaches 90

Nearly 90 people have died in bitter cold affecting areas of the United States from Texas to New Jersey, according to media reports citing local authorities.
Pakistan says 145 militants killed after attacks in Balochistan

Pakistan's security forces killed 145 militants over 40 hours after coordinated attacks across Balochistan, the chief minister of the southwestern province said on Sunday, as the authorities battle one of the deadliest flare-ups in years.