Today marks seven years since the tragic Christchurch Mosque attacks that shocked the world and claimed the lives of 51 worshippers in New Zealand.
On 15 March 2019, a gunman carried out terror attacks at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, opening fire on people during Friday prayers and injuring dozens more.
Seven years on, families of the victims are continuing their fight to stop the terrorist from giving evidence at the coronial inquest into the deaths of their loved ones.
Deputy Chief Coroner Brigitte Windley had sought to call the terrorist, Brenton Tarrant, as a witness during the second phase of the inquest, which is examining how he obtained the firearms used in the massacre.
However, survivors and victims’ families strongly oppose the move, saying it could give the terrorist a platform and cause further pain.
The families earlier sought a judicial review in the High Court, but Justice Jonathan Eaton dismissed the application in October, ruling that the coroner had not made any legal error.
Some of the victims’ families have now appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal.
The 35-year-old Australian-born terrorist is currently serving life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the attack.
Source: RNZ
