Brenton Tarrant, the 28 year old Australian-born gunman who had filmed himself on a rampage that left 49 worshipers dead appeared in front of the court on Saturday. The right- wing extremist stood in the dock, wearing handcuffs and a white prison smock, as the judge read a single murder charge against him. A muckle of further charges are expected.
According to sources, he even had the audacity to smirk when persons photographed him during the hearing. During the brief hearing from which public were excluded from for security reasons, the former fitness instructor and self-professed fascist occasionally turned to look at media present in court.
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Surrounded by armed police, Tarrant flashed an upside-down “okay” signal, a symbol used by white power groups across the globe. He did not even request bail and was taken into custody until his next court appearance scheduled for April 5.
A short distance away, 39 people were being treated in hospital for gunshot wounds and other injuries inflicted in the horrendous act. The injured reportedly also include a two-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl, who are in critical condition. Doctors at Christchurch hospital said they are doing the best they can to save the injured. According to the doctors, many of them will require multiple surgical procedures and for many others scars may never fully heal.
The attack on the Al Noor and Linwood mosques labelled terrorism by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, is believed to be the deadliest attack directed against Muslims in the West in modern times.
Outside the court, the son of 71-year-old Afghan victim Daoud Nabi demanded justice for his late father who believed New Zealand to be a ‘slice of paradise.’ “It outrageous, the feeling is outrageous..It beyond imagination”, he was quoted as saying. New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern had said that the victims came from across the Muslim world, with Turkey, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia among the countries rendering consular assistance. One Saudi citizen and two Jordanians were among the dead. Meanwhile, five Pakistani citizens have been reported as missing.