“The latest court appearance by the Australian
terrorist responsible for the 15 March 2019 Christchurch
terrorist attacks is not just a legal matter. It follows a
well-known pattern used by convicted right-wing terrorists
to exploit legal systems in order to regain publicity,
amplify their ideology and inspire online supporters,”
said Abdur Razzaq, Chairperson of FIANZ
Advocacy.
“The terrorist who murdered 51 people and
wounded a further 40 at two mosques, is following an almost
identical trajectory to the right-wing terrorist responsible
for the 2011 Norway attacks that killed 77 people. After
initially confessing guilt, the Oslo terrorist
systematically exploited the Norwegian and European legal
systems through repeated court actions following his 2012
conviction, including cases in 2016, 2017, and again in
2024, largely focused on alleged prison conditions. This is
quite similar to the Australian 15 March terrorist who is
now exploiting the NZ legal system claiming he pleaded
guilty “under duress by torture”. Whilst the current
case has a focus to determine the time validity, it
nevertheless provides him with the opportunity to generate
social media traffic. There is also the forthcoming coronial
inquiry where again he will no doubt seek further
publicity.”
“New Zealand’s legal system operates
on principles of transparency, due process, and access to
justice. By repeatedly initiating post-conviction legal
actions, the terrorist is using those protections not to
seek genuine redress, but to re-enter the public arena,
garner repeated media reporting, and ensure continued
visibility. The public’s trust that Courts act in good
faith is leveraged by the terrorist for his own
self-promotion and his cause. This is almost identical
method used by the Oslo terrorist who he deemed to be his
“true inspiration”.
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“Unfortunately, such legal
challenges also come with various levels of societal costs.
As the study by the University of Otago revealed, the 15
Match families are suffering sustained PTSD. At another
level, it is important to remember that of the 51
Recommendations issued by the Royal Commission, only two
related directly to the affected whānau, survivors, and
witnesses. Unfortunately, the recommendation for a
restorative justice process was abandoned. Survivors were
denied the opportunity to seek restorative justice, while
the convicted terrorist continues to access repeated,
publicly funded legal processes. This imbalance is both
incongruous and indefensible.”
“The financial cost
to the public is also substantial and ongoing. The costs for
each legal challenge is not insignificant, particularly with
the other associated costs such as security. The initial
court case and prison cost was over $2.38 million. In 2020,
when the last calculation was done, NZ taxpayers were
spending $4932 per day or over $1.8 million a year to
maintain the Australian 15 March terrorist in prison, whilst
other prisoners cost about $338 per day. Based on the
probable life expectancy of the Australian terrorist, it
will cost NZ taxpayers about $93.6 million for his
upkeep.”
“Unfortunately, as a society, we must
confront an uncomfortable reality. Repeated legal
proceedings involving the Australian 15 March terrorist are
not neutral acts but carry profound human, social, and
financial costs, while providing exactly the exposure such
terrorists seek. The terrorist is still inspiring others. It
is no coincidence that there has been a long list of copycat
terrorism after 15 March, including the Chabad of Poway
Synagogue attack by John Earnest; the El Paso attack by
Patrick Crusius; the Halle attack by Stephan Balliet, among
other plots. The latest was a teenage far-right supporter in
Singapore who wanted to conduct a terrorist-style attack on
Muslims at a mosque. Fortunately, he was detained in time by
the Singapore authorities. These are precisely the online
audience that the right wing convicted terrorists
deliberately seek to recruit through their media notoriety.
Following the current proceedings, the next major
opportunity is likely to arise during the next phase of the
Coronial Inquiry,” said Abdur
Razzaq.
