Christchurch shooting: Gasps as mosque attack suspect denies killing 51 worshippers

Australian smirks as lawyers enter plea but otherwise shows little emotion as dozens of members of Muslim community watch on

The man accused of killing 51 worshippers at two mosques in New Zealand in March pleaded not guilty to all charges in court in Christchurch.

The 28-year-old Australian, who appeared by video link from a small room at the maximum security prison in Auckland where he is being held, smirked as his lawyers entered his plea but otherwise showed little emotion.

The High Court Justice Cameron Mander said the trial will start on 4 May next year. Brenton Tarrant has been remanded in custody until 16 August when a case review hearing is scheduled.

In an attack broadcast live on Facebook, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic weapons targeted Muslims attending Friday prayers in Christchurch on 15 March, in New Zealand’s worst peacetime mass shooting.

Mr Tarrant faces a total of 92 charges after New Zealand filed two additional attempted murder charges, one murder charge and one terrorism charge. This is the first time a terrorism charge has been brought in New Zealand.

Around 80 members of Christchurch’s Muslim community sat in the back of the court, solemn and quiet throughout the appearance. There were some quiet gasps when the not guilty plea was entered by Mr Tarrant’s lawyer. Meanwhile, about another 60 watched the proceedings on video in an overflow room.

Four cultural advisers and other staff were assigned to help the victims and family members understand what was going on in court, as well as the next steps in the case.

A man who addressed the survivors said they had been praying during the holy month of Ramadan and added that the Muslim community would help and support each other during the coming weeks and months.

At the last hearing on 5 April the court had ordered Mr Tarrant to undergo mental assessment first to determine whether he was fit to stand trial. The judge said on Friday that there were no issues arising from mental health assessments and the defendant was fit to stand trial.

Following the attack, New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern vowed never to say the accused man’s name.

Last month she helped lead a global pledge named the “Christchurch Call”, aimed at boosting efforts to keep internet platforms from being used to spread hate, organise extremist groups and broadcast attacks.