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Top judge named to head Christchurch massacre inquiry
WELLINGTON, April 8, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda
Ardern on Monday named a Supreme Court judge to lead an inquiry into the
massacre last month of 50 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques.
“The government will ensure no stone is left unturned as we examine as
quickly as possible how the March 15 attack happened, what could have been
done to stop it and how we can keep New Zealanders safe,” Ardern said.
The Royal Commission probe, the most powerful judicial inquiry available
under New Zealand law, will be led by Supreme Court Judge William Young and
report its findings by December 10, she said.
Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, a self-avowed white supremacist, has been
charged with 50 counts of murder and 39 of attempted murder over the mosque
attacks in the southern city.
Ardern said the probe, due to begin hearing evidence on May 13, would play
a critical role in ensuring “such an attack never happens again”.
The inquiry will involve consultation with the Muslim community and look
into whether New Zealand counter-terror agencies placed an “inappropriate
concentration” of resources in tracking Islamist militants while neglecting
the threat from far-right extremism.
It will probe Tarrant’s activities before the attack, including how he
obtained a gun licence, weapons and ammunition, and his use of social media,
Ardern said.
Tarrant live-streamed his attack and published a lengthy manifesto online
before launching his rampage.
What knowledge intelligence agencies had of his activities and whether any
laws impeded the gathering and sharing of information by the agencies will
also be part of the inquiry, she said.
Since the attacks, the government has tightened the country’s gun laws, is
reviewing legislation dealing with hate speech and called for social media
giants to do more to combat online extremism.
BSS/AFP/GMR/1138 hrs