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Wellington, September 1, 2020
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the offender responsible for the Christchurch terror attack on March 15, 2019 has been designated as a terrorist entity.
The issued the following Statement on September 1, 2020:
Designating the offender is an important demonstration of New Zealand’s condemnation of terrorism and violent extremism in all forms.
A designation under New Zealand legislation freezes the assets of terrorist entities and makes it a criminal offence to participate in or support the activities of the designated terrorist entity.
This designation ensures the offender cannot be involved in the financing of terrorism in the future.
Obligation as a country
We have an obligation to New Zealand and to the wider international community to prevent the financing of terrorist acts.
There are currently 20 terrorist entities designated under New Zealand law, including this offender.
Under Section 22 of the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002, the Prime Minister may designate individuals or groups as terrorist entities, on advice from officials.
Details of the designations process and the statements of case supporting designation of these entities can be found on the New Zealand Police website.
Tarrant carried out the Mosque attacks in Christchurch on March 15, 2019.
He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of ever leaving jail.
The 29-year-old terrorist had earlier admitted 51 charges of murder, 40 charges of attempted murder and one charge of terrorism.
Justice Cameron Mander imposed the sentence – the harshest available to the Court.
It marked the first time a convicted person has ever been imprisoned with no possibility of parole.
Tarrant murdered 51 worshippers at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch on March 15, 2019.
He also shot and injured 40 more in an attempt to murder them.
Sentence unopposed
Tarrant was also sentenced to life imprisonment on one count of engaging in a terrorist act.
It marked the first time anyone was sentenced for offending under the Terrorism Suppression Act.
The terrorist did not oppose being jailed without the possibility of parole.
