Christchurch mosque attacks: Terrorist changes plea to guilty for shooting

accused in Christchurch mosque terror attack changed his plea to 'guilty' on March 26 in New Zealand's High Court. Brenton Tarrant, Australian national and white supremacist was accused of killing 51 worshippers at two mosques in country. During attacks, 42 people were killed at Al or mosque, seven were killed at Linwood mosque and two died later in hospitals.

accused appeared by a video link for Court hearing, and ple guilty to 40 charges of terrorism and attempted murder, international media reported. Previously, accused h ple t guilty for crime and was to face trial in June 2020 for terror attack that was brocasted live on his Facebook. 

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New Zealand law defines terrorism as including acts that are carried out to vance an ideological, political, or religious cause with intention of inducing terror in a civilian population. From outset, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern h called attack as an act of 'terrorism'. terrorist h reportedly emailed New Zealand Prime Minister and ors, just before attack outlining his white supremacist views and an elaborate plan for shooting. 

Christchurch mosque terror attack

In worst-ever terror attack in New Zealand, a gunman carried out indiscriminate shootings at two mosques in Christchurch during Friday prayers, leaving 49 people de and at least 48 wounded, besides giving a scare to Banglesh cricket team which h a narrow escape. Jacinda Ardern said events in Christchurch represented "an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence" and ackwledged many of those affected may be migrants and refugees. "It is clear that this can w only be described as a terrorist attack," Ardern said.

New Zealand decided to cancel national remembrance service that would have marked first anniversary of Christchurch mosque attacks. According to reports, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern claimed that it was a pragmatic decision. She ded that while she was sdened that she h to cancel service she said that in remembering such a trdy y should t risk furr harm being done. service h been expected to attract several thousand people, many of whom would be travelling from overseas.

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(With AP inputs)