Christchurch shooting suspect pleads not guilty

MARK MITCHELL / POOL / AFP

The main suspect in March’s Christchurch mosque attacks has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Brenton Tarrant appeared in court through a video link from prison.

The 28-year-old, who has been charged for murdering 51 people, is facing 40 counts of attempted murder and one terrorism charge. 

It was his first court appearance since April. 

Tarrant’s lawyer Shane Tait read out his client's not guilty pleas.

He allegedly opened fire on worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch during Friday prayers on March 15. 

The incident was the deadliest mass shooting in New Zealand’s history. 

More from International News

  • US Senate passes Trump's tax-cut, spending bill; sends to House

    The Republican-controlled US Senate passed President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill on Tuesday, signing off on a massive package that would enshrine many of his top domestic priorities into law while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

  • France shuts schools as heatwave grips Europe

    More than a thousand schools were closed in France on Tuesday and the top floor of the Eiffel Tower was shut to tourists as a severe heatwave continued to grip Europe, triggering health alerts across the region.

  • Blow for Thailand's government as court suspends PM from duty

    Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty pending a case seeking her dismissal, in a major setback for a government under fire on multiple fronts and fighting for its survival.

  • Trump signs order lifting sanctions on Syria, White House says

    President Donald Trump has signed an executive order terminating a US sanctions programme on Syria, allowing an end to the country's isolation from the international financial system and building on Washington's pledge to help it rebuild after a devastating civil war.

Blogs