She is a spokesperson for the 15 March Whānau Trust, a group representing many of the families. “It certainly is very disappointing to be repeatedly taken back to the same starting point all over again,” said Insha Aziz, whose husband, Farhaj Ahsan was killed. Lawyers for the police had told the coroner they were ready to proceed with the inquest in May.Īya al-Umari, whose brother Hussein al-Umari was killed, said she had expected “comprehensive” detail from the police evidence “given the considerable amount of time that has lapsed” since the attack.Īl-Umari was among bereaved relatives who said they welcomed the postponement, but were frustrated that concerns about timely access to information had not been addressed earlier. Evidence relating to the aftermath of the shooting is suppressed until the inquest begins. When Brenton Tarrant pleaded guilty to all the charges he faced in March 2020, a planned trial was averted and the case against him was never publicly presented.Ĭoroner Windley said lawyers representing the families had decried “the disappointing lack of detail” in briefs filed to her inquiry by the police, arguing they did not allow a proper investigation “of what decisions were made, by whom and on what basis”. Much of the evidence underpinning the inquiry was prepared by New Zealand’s police in 2019 for the criminal case against the terrorist. Some said they were not able to engage expert witnesses or properly instruct their clients as a result. Lawyers for many of the bereaved had urged the coroner to delay the hearings due to the sheer volume of disclosure and delays in receiving, accessing and reviewing it. “However, it is vitally important that this Inquiry is conducted in a manner that retains its integrity and maintains trust and confidence in the process.” “I know this will be an unwelcome delay for many, including those who have long been awaiting the answers and perhaps the closure they hope the Inquest will bring,” coroner Windley wrote. They would be rescheduled for later this year, she said. Here are photos from the scene of the shooting, as well as screengrabs of the video the shooter allegedly took on Facebook live during the attack.In a minute issued on Thursday, coroner Brigitte Windley said she had decided “with considerable reluctance” that the hearings would not proceed as planned. One witness, a man named Mohan Ibn Ibrahim, told CNN, “There were more than 200 people inside. Christchurch schools will be locked down until further notice.” Per CNN, New Zealand police released the following statement on Friday afternoon, immediately following early reports of a shooting: “Police recommend that residents across Christchurch remain off the streets and indoors until further notice. Photos of the Mosque Shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand *CONTENT WARNING: Many of these photos contain screenshots of the video allegedly taken by the shooter, which show bodies* Some photos from the event have started to trickle in. Per ABC, New Zealand Police confirmed “multiple fatalities” from the event on Friday afternoon (New Zealand time), and also confirmed at that point that four suspects had been arrested, though they didn’t provide further details. The Christchurch Mosque shooting has left 40 dead and over 20 injured, according to a report by the New Zealand Prime Minister early Friday morning.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |