NZ police speak with man over possible threat ahead of Christchurch terror anniversary

Police in Christchurch have raided the home of a man they believe could be linked to a threat made against one of the mosques involved in last year’s terror attacks.

In this March 17, 2019, file photo, a police officer stands guard in front of the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand Source: AP

Police in New Zealand have searched a Christchurch home in relation to the probe of a threat against the Al Noor mosque, one of the two locations where the deadly terror incidents took place last year.

It comes a week before the one-year anniversary of the 15 March shootings, which claimed the lives of 51 Muslim worshipers and injured 49 others at the Al Noor mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre.

Floral tributes were laid at the sites of the Christchurch terror attacks. Source: SIPA USA

Canterbury Police located a number of items at the address, including a vehicle, and confirmed on Wednesday they were speaking to a 19-year-old man from the property.

The teenager has been charged on an unrelated matter and police are continuing to gather evidence in relation to the Al Noor probe, Superintendent John Price said.

The investigation came after a picture of the Al Noor mosque was posted this week on a messaging app, which was subsequently shared online.

Local media reported the picture showed a man in a balaclava sitting in a car outside the mosque, accompanied by threatening text and an emoji.

“Police are aware that a number of people have been sharing an image featuring Al Noor mosque, originally published on social media,” Superintendent Price said.

“The further sharing of this image is causing significant distress and anxiety for members of our community.

“This type of imagery has no place in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Worshippers prepare to enter the Al Noor mosque. Source: AP

“It is abhorrent and will not be tolerated.”

Representatives from Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, Google and Amazon met in Paris last year for a forum on how to curb the spread of terrorism and extremism online.

The event was hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and took place after the attacks on the Christchurch attacks were live-streamed to audiences on the internet.

 

Tech leaders agreed to a nine-point strategy which set out "concrete steps the industry will take to address the abuse of technology to spread terrorist content."

Police have increased patrols around Al Noor and Linwood mosques and will be maintaining a visible presence in the community ahead of the anniversary, Superintendent Price said.

An Australian man is due to go on trial on 2 June for the killings.

He faces terrorism charges, plus 51 counts of murder and 40 of attempted murder.