New Zealand Mosque Congregation Shooting Terrorist Sentenced To Life In Prison

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - A New Zealand court has sentenced him to life in prison for the shooter at the Christchurch mosque. The sentences were handed down without parole and are the first ever in the country.

Launching Reuters on Thursday, August 27, Brenton Tarrant, a 29-year-old Australian citizen, confessed to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. The shootings, which took place at two Christchurch mosques and killed 51 people, were broadcast by the perpetrators live on Facebook.

"Your crimes, however, were so sinister that even if you were detained to death it would not fulfill the terms of punishment and condemnation," said High Court Judge Cameron Mander.

"As far as I can see, you don't have any empathy for the victim," added Mander.

Tarrant, who was dressed in a gray prison outfit and surrounded by guards, did not react to his sentence.

Prosecutors have previously said Tarrant wanted to instill fear or occupation. Tarrant also carefully planned his attacks to cause maximum carnage.

"Currently, the legal procedures for this heinous crime have been carried out. There is no punishment that will return our loved ones, ”said Gamal Fouda, the Imam of the Al Noor Mosque, the mosque that was the target of Tarrant's rampage.

“Extremists are all the same. Do they use religion, nationalism or other ideologies. All extremists, they represent hatred. but we are here today. We respect love, compassion, Muslim and non-Muslim people, believers and non-believers, "added Gamal.

During the trial, through a lawyer in court, Tarrant said he would not challenge the prosecution for life without a sentence of parole.

"The hatred that is at the heart of your hostility towards certain members of the community that you have come to this country to kill has no place here - nowhere," Judge Mander said.

The judge asked Tarrant before handing down his sentence about his response to the ongoing trial process. Tarrant only nodded when asked if he was aware he had the right to apply. However Tarrant did not speak.

Prior to Tarrant, triple killer William Bell served the longest sentence in New Zealand with a non-parole sentence of at least 30 years. He committed his crimes in 2001.

New Zealand PM's comments

New Zealand Prime Minister (PM) Jacinda Ardern praised the survivors and their families for giving emotional statements in court. Ardern said she was relieved that Tarrant would never see a bright day.

“The trauma on March 15th is not easy to heal, but today I hope to be the last one where we have reason to hear or name the terrorists behind it. "She deserves to be total silence and a lifetime," Ardern said.

Ardern acknowledged acknowledging the strength of the Muslim community being able to share their words in court over the past few days. The survivors and victims' families are depicted as being able to recount the unfortunate incident which, although it had passed a year ago, the wounds will never disappear.

"You relive the horrific events of March 15 to record what happened that day and the pain it left behind. Nothing can take away the pain but I hope you feel New Zealand's hug around you through this whole process. I hope you will continue to feel it. throughout the following days, "concluded Ardern.