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 News

Israeli airforce pounds Beirut, Lebanon death toll rises

Israel pounded Beirut's southern suburbs with airstrikes on Friday, stepping up a war with Hezbollah that has forced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese from their homes and killed more than 200, according to a health ministry toll.
US releases Epstein-related FBI interviews mentioning Trump

Audio

The US Justice Department released FBI records on Thursday that summarise interviews of an unidentified woman who made accusations against President Donald Trump.
Hezbollah warns Israeli residents to evacuate towns near border

Lebanon's Hezbollah warned Israeli residents to evacuate towns within 5 km of the border between the countries in a message posted on its Telegram channel in Hebrew early on Friday.
US House rejects war powers resolution, backs Trump on Iran war

The US House of Representatives rejected an effort on Thursday to stop President Donald Trump's air war on Iran and require that any hostilities against Iran be authorized by Congress, backing the Republican president's military campaign.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait intercept drones targeting territory

Multiple Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, have announced their successful interception of several drones targeting their territories and airbases.

UAE intercepts 9 ballistic missiles, 109 drones
The UAE air defences said it has intercepted 9 ballistic missiles detected in the region on Friday. Of the 112 drones detected, 109 were intercepted with 3 falling within the country's territory.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed introduces new public safety law
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued a new law on Friday, aimed at strengthening public safety across Dubai, setting out stricter standards for venues, events and public spaces.
Malaysia’s PM condemns Iranian attack in call with UAE President
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim discussed, on Friday, the latest developments in the region and the escalating military action that threatens regional and international security and stability.