New Zealand mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 Muslim worshippers last year, has&nbsp;refused the right to speak at his sentencing, as per court officials said on Wednesday.&nbsp;

According to the officials, the 29-year-old Australian white supremacist had sacked his legal team earlier this year and had opted not to personally address the court, however, his lawyer will make a brief statement on his behalf on Thursday.&nbsp;

The massacre that took place last year, prompted a global campaign to stamp out online hate.&nbsp;

According to television footage, Tarrant disembarked a New Zealand air force plane at Christchurch Airport, wearing a protective vest and helmet and escorted by armed officers, before being directed into the back of a white van.&nbsp;

The court in Christchurch has begun multi-day sentencing on Monday, where survivors of the attack and family members of those killed have delivered victim impact statements.

In New Zealand, crimes like murder carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison, however, the judge can impose a life term without the possibility of release, a sentence never used in the country.&nbsp;

New Zealand mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 Muslim worshippers last year, has refused the right to speak at his sentencing, as per court officials said on Wednesday.

New Zealand mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 Muslim worshippers last year, has refused the right to speak at his sentencing, as per court officials said on Wednesday. According to the officials, the 29-year-old Australian white supremacist had sacked his legal team earlier this year and had opted not to personally address the court, however, his lawyer will make a brief statement on his behalf on Thursday. The massacre that took place last year, prompted a global campaign to stamp out online hate. According to television footage, Tarrant disembarked a New Zealand air force plane at Christchurch Airport, wearing a protective vest and helmet and escorted by armed officers, before being directed into the back of a white van. The court in Christchurch has begun multi-day sentencing on Monday, where survivors of the attack and family members of those killed have delivered victim impact statements. In New Zealand, crimes like murder carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison, however, the judge can impose a life term without the possibility of release, a sentence never used in the country.

Christchurch mosque shooter  Brenton Tarrant will not speak at sentencing: Court officials

"Just an ordinary White man, 28 years old," was how Brenton Harrison Tarrant, accused of killing 49 people and injuring more at two mosques in New Zealand, introduced himself to the world in a manifesto circulating online.

"Born in Australia to a working class, low-income family," he added.

Other than that, the country that spawned the man accused of the world's second-deadliest shooting was scrambling for clues about a life that those in his hometown said left little impression until he unleashed a long, articulate screed published online along with a link to a livestream video of the mosque shootings.

Under New Zealand's contempt rules, there are limits on what can be published about him, to preserve his right to a fair trial.

Although his social media profiles on Facebook and Twitter were taken down soon after news of the incident spread, police said Tarrant had lived in Grafton, an inland city split by a river and known for its logging industry, about 500 kilometres (310 miles) north of Sydney.

In his 74-page manifesto, he said he had gone to the local high school. Grafton High School did not return a Reuters phone call seeking comment.

Tarrant said in his document he received "little education during my schooling, barely achieving a passing grade", skipping university to work and deal in cryptocurrency, which he said was profitable.

He also became a committed member of his local gym, Big River Squash and Fitness Centre, as a high school student, qualifying as a personal trainer, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted its owner, Tracey Gray, as saying.

"He started coming to my facility as a boy that was finishing school and showed a lot of dedication to his own training," the paper quoted Gray as saying. "He never showed any extremist tendencies in conversations I had with him."

Tarrant left Grafton around the time of his father's death in about 2011, Gray told the Herald. On Saturday, no one was answering the gym's phone and its Facebook page had been disabled.

Grafton Police declined to comment on whether they had any previous dealings with Tarrant, as did the New South Wales state police. New Zealand authorities have said he was not on any watchlists.

Experiences abroad&nbsp;

Tarrant wrote that he used the spoils of his cryptocurrency dealings to travel in France, Spain and Portugal in 2017.

Several countries checked their records after the attacks and discovered that he had also embarked on other travels.

A few months before his Western Europe trip, in late 2016, Tarrant visited Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia, where he stopped by historic battle sites, Bulgarian Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov told Reuters.

He returned to the region in November 2018 to tour historic sites of Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.

His interest showed "a very serious knowledge of the Balkan history in details I would say even few people in the Balkans know," Bulgarian Foreign Minister Elaterid Zachariah said.

Tarrant also visited Turkey "multiple times and spent an extended period of time in the country", a senior Turkish official told Reuters, without giving dates. The authorities there were now investigating his movements domestically in the wake of the shooting, added the official, who was not authorised to speak to the media and commented on condition of anonymity.

His suspended Facebook page also showed a post from Pakistan in 2018 in which he called the country "an incredible place filled with the most earnest, kind-hearted and hospitable people in the world," according to the Herald.

In Grafton, which holds a jacaranda festival each October, councillor Greg Clan said the city was conservative with no mosque or significant Muslim population.

"Why this particular person from Grafton had a set against Muslims I would not know," he said. "It's just weird, apart from being shocking."

"Just an ordinary White man, 28 years old," was how Brenton Harrison Tarrant, accused of killing 49 people and injuring more at two mosques in New Zealand, introduced himself to the world in a manifesto circulating online.

"Just an ordinary White man, 28 years old," was how Brenton Harrison Tarrant, accused of killing 49 people and injuring more at two mosques in New Zealand, introduced himself to the world in a manifesto circulating online. "Born in Australia to a working class, low-income family," he added. Other than that, the country that spawned the man accused of the world's second-deadliest shooting was scrambling for clues about a life that those in his hometown said left little impression until he unleashed a long, articulate screed published online along with a link to a livestream video of the mosque shootings. Under New Zealand's contempt rules, there are limits on what can be published about him, to preserve his right to a fair trial. Although his social media profiles on Facebook and Twitter were taken down soon after news of the incident spread, police said Tarrant had lived in Grafton, an inland city split by a river and known for its logging industry, about 500 kilometres (310 miles) north of Sydney. In his 74-page manifesto, he said he had gone to the local high school. Grafton High School did not return a Reuters phone call seeking comment. Tarrant said in his document he received "little education during my schooling, barely achieving a passing grade", skipping university to work and deal in cryptocurrency, which he said was profitable. He also became a committed member of his local gym, Big River Squash and Fitness Centre, as a high school student, qualifying as a personal trainer, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted its owner, Tracey Gray, as saying. "He started coming to my facility as a boy that was finishing school and showed a lot of dedication to his own training," the paper quoted Gray as saying. "He never showed any extremist tendencies in conversations I had with him." Tarrant left Grafton around the time of his father's death in about 2011, Gray told the Herald. On Saturday, no one was answering the gym's phone and its Facebook page had been disabled. Grafton Police declined to comment on whether they had any previous dealings with Tarrant, as did the New South Wales state police. New Zealand authorities have said he was not on any watchlists. Experiences abroad Tarrant wrote that he used the spoils of his cryptocurrency dealings to travel in France, Spain and Portugal in 2017. Several countries checked their records after the attacks and discovered that he had also embarked on other travels. A few months before his Western Europe trip, in late 2016, Tarrant visited Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia, where he stopped by historic battle sites, Bulgarian Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov told Reuters. He returned to the region in November 2018 to tour historic sites of Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. His interest showed "a very serious knowledge of the Balkan history in details I would say even few people in the Balkans know," Bulgarian Foreign Minister Elaterid Zachariah said. Tarrant also visited Turkey "multiple times and spent an extended period of time in the country", a senior Turkish official told Reuters, without giving dates. The authorities there were now investigating his movements domestically in the wake of the shooting, added the official, who was not authorised to speak to the media and commented on condition of anonymity. His suspended Facebook page also showed a post from Pakistan in 2018 in which he called the country "an incredible place filled with the most earnest, kind-hearted and hospitable people in the world," according to the Herald. In Grafton, which holds a jacaranda festival each October, councillor Greg Clan said the city was conservative with no mosque or significant Muslim population. "Why this particular person from Grafton had a set against Muslims I would not know," he said. "It's just weird, apart from being shocking."

In New Zealand, a journey around the world and into darkness

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he did not see a rise in white nationalism across the world after the accused in the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-mosque-shootings-kill-49-in-what-pm-calls-terrorist-attack-203560"> New Zealand mosque terror attack </a>called the president "a symbol of renewed white identity."

“I don't really think so. I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems,” The Hill quoted Trump as saying when asked if he saw a rise in white nationalism.

"If you look at what happened in New Zealand, perhaps that’s the case. I don’t know enough about it yet," he added.

Earlier, a social media account believed to be linked to the Australian-born suspect, who filmed himself, while carrying out the attack, had posted a lengthy manifesto, expressing anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim views.

He wrote that he supported Trump “as a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose” but not as a “policymaker and leader.”

Responding to the same, Trump said that he was yet to see the manifesto and called the mass shootings "horrible".

The 28-year-old suspect, identified as Brenton Harrison Tarrant <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-mass-shooting-suspect-remanded-until-april-5-203622">appeared before a Christchurch court</a> on Saturday on murder charges connected with Friday's terror attacks in Christchurch, which left at least 49 people dead.

He was remanded in custody without plea until April 5.

The accused is an Australian-born citizen and is a resident of Dunedin, situated around 360 km south of Christchurch.

Earlier, Trump spoke to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and offered assistance to the country in the wake of the terror attack.

"Just spoke with Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, regarding the horrific events that have taken place over the past 24 hours. I informed the Prime Minister that we stand in solidarity with New Zealand - and that any assistance the USA can give, we stand by ready to help. We love you New Zealand!" he wrote on Twitter.

In the worst ever terror attack in New Zealand, multiple gunmen carried out indiscriminate shootings at two mosques in Christchurch during the Friday prayers, leaving 49 people dead and at least 48 wounded, besides giving a scare to the Bangladesh cricket team which had a narrow escape.

Using automatic weapons, the gunmen, four of who were initially taken into custody, launched a "well-planned" attack on the mosques when devotees had assembled for the weekly prayers.

According to the police, 41 people were killed at Al Noor mosque and seven at Linwood mosque while one injured died in a hospital.

Condemning the terror strike, Ardern had described it as a “terror attack” and said it “appears to have been well planned”. She asserted that New Zealand “will not and cannot be shaken” by this attack.

Several guns have been recovered from both mosques, while, two explosive devices were found on two vehicles at the scene, one of which was defused, the police confirmed.

Ardern vowed that gun laws "will change" in the wake of the worst terror attacks in the country`s history.

The New Zealand premier, her cabinet ministers and opposition leader Simon Bridges flew to Christchurch from Wellington today morning in the wake of the terror attacks.

Upon her arrival, Ardern visited the Canterbury Refugees Centre, where she interacted with Muslim community leaders who were expressing their concerns about finding a place of worship after all mosques in the city were shut down in the wake of the shootings, according to New Zealand Herald.

Ardern assured the group that local council leaders were working tirelessly to provide alternative and safe places for worship, adding that security was beefed up to ensure safety.

Around 3,000 people from all walks of lives and representing different faiths gathered for a peace vigil in Aotea Square in Auckland to stand in solidarity with the victims of the Christchurch terror attacks.

Several events scheduled for today have been cancelled in the wake of the mass shootings in Christchurch.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he did not see a rise in white nationalism across the world after the accused in the New Zealand mosque terror attack called the president "a symbol of renewed white identity.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he did not see a rise in white nationalism across the world after the accused in the New Zealand mosque terror attack called the president "a symbol of renewed white identity." “I don't really think so. I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems,” The Hill quoted Trump as saying when asked if he saw a rise in white nationalism. "If you look at what happened in New Zealand, perhaps that’s the case. I don’t know enough about it yet," he added. Earlier, a social media account believed to be linked to the Australian-born suspect, who filmed himself, while carrying out the attack, had posted a lengthy manifesto, expressing anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim views. He wrote that he supported Trump “as a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose” but not as a “policymaker and leader.” Responding to the same, Trump said that he was yet to see the manifesto and called the mass shootings "horrible". The 28-year-old suspect, identified as Brenton Harrison Tarrant appeared before a Christchurch court on Saturday on murder charges connected with Friday's terror attacks in Christchurch, which left at least 49 people dead. He was remanded in custody without plea until April 5. The accused is an Australian-born citizen and is a resident of Dunedin, situated around 360 km south of Christchurch. Earlier, Trump spoke to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and offered assistance to the country in the wake of the terror attack. "Just spoke with Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, regarding the horrific events that have taken place over the past 24 hours. I informed the Prime Minister that we stand in solidarity with New Zealand - and that any assistance the USA can give, we stand by ready to help. We love you New Zealand!" he wrote on Twitter. In the worst ever terror attack in New Zealand, multiple gunmen carried out indiscriminate shootings at two mosques in Christchurch during the Friday prayers, leaving 49 people dead and at least 48 wounded, besides giving a scare to the Bangladesh cricket team which had a narrow escape. Using automatic weapons, the gunmen, four of who were initially taken into custody, launched a "well-planned" attack on the mosques when devotees had assembled for the weekly prayers. According to the police, 41 people were killed at Al Noor mosque and seven at Linwood mosque while one injured died in a hospital. Condemning the terror strike, Ardern had described it as a “terror attack” and said it “appears to have been well planned”. She asserted that New Zealand “will not and cannot be shaken” by this attack. Several guns have been recovered from both mosques, while, two explosive devices were found on two vehicles at the scene, one of which was defused, the police confirmed. Ardern vowed that gun laws "will change" in the wake of the worst terror attacks in the country`s history. The New Zealand premier, her cabinet ministers and opposition leader Simon Bridges flew to Christchurch from Wellington today morning in the wake of the terror attacks. Upon her arrival, Ardern visited the Canterbury Refugees Centre, where she interacted with Muslim community leaders who were expressing their concerns about finding a place of worship after all mosques in the city were shut down in the wake of the shootings, according to New Zealand Herald. Ardern assured the group that local council leaders were working tirelessly to provide alternative and safe places for worship, adding that security was beefed up to ensure safety. Around 3,000 people from all walks of lives and representing different faiths gathered for a peace vigil in Aotea Square in Auckland to stand in solidarity with the victims of the Christchurch terror attacks. Several events scheduled for today have been cancelled in the wake of the mass shootings in Christchurch.

White nationalism not a rising threat: Trump on New Zealand mosque shooter

The main suspect in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gunman-was-very-calm-during-the-rampage-survivors-tell-of-new-zealand-mosque-shootings-203612">mass shootings at two New Zealand mosques</a> was charged with one count of murder on Saturday, a day after the attack that killed 49 people and wounded dozens, prompting the prime minister to vow reform of the country's gun laws.

Brenton Harrison Tarrant, a 28-year old Australian citizen, appeared in a Christchurch District Court and was remanded without a plea until his next scheduled appearance in the South Island city's High Court on April 5.

Handcuffed and wearing a white prison suit, Tarrant did not speak. His court-appointed lawyer made no application for bail or name suppression.

He was likely to face further charges, police said.

The attack, which Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern labelled as terrorism, was the worst ever peacetime mass killing in New Zealand and the country raised its security threat level to the highest.

Footage of the attack on one of the mosques was broadcast live on Facebook, and a "manifesto" was also posted online that denounced immigrants as "invaders".

The video footage showed a man driving to the mosque, entering it and shooting randomly at people inside. Worshippers, possibly dead or wounded, lay on the floor, the video showed. Reuters was unable to confirm the footage's authenticity and police urged people not to view or share it.

Police said two other people were in custody.

Armed police were deployed at several locations in all cities, unusual in a country where levels of gun violence are low.

Ardern said the main suspect was a licensed gun owner who used five weapons during his rampage, including two semi-automatic weapons and two shotguns.

"I can tell you one thing right now, our gun laws will change," Ardern told reporters, saying a ban on semi-automatic weapons would be considered.

None of those arrested had a criminal history or was on any watchlist in New Zealand or Australia.

Sorrow sympathy

There was a heavy police presence at the hospital where families of the more than 40 wounded had gathered. Funerals were planned on Saturday for some of the victims, several of whom were born overseas.

Dozens of people laid flowers at cordons near both mosques in Christchurch, which is still rebuilding after a devastating earthquake in 2011 that killed almost 200 people.

Leaders around the world expressed sorrow and disgust at the attacks, with some deploring the demonisation of Muslims.&nbsp;

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, who condemned the attack as a "horrible massacre", was praised by the accused gunman in a manifesto posted online as "a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose".

Asked by a reporter in Washington if he thought white nationalism is a rising threat around the world, Trump said, "I don’t really. I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems. I guess if you look at what happened in New Zealand perhaps that’s a case, I don’t know enough about it yet."

Ardern, who flew to Christchurch on Saturday, said she had spoken to Trump, who had asked how he could help.

"My message was sympathy and love for all Muslim communities," she said she told him.

Political and Islamic leaders across Asia and the Middle East voiced concern over the targeting of Muslims.

"I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11," Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan posted on social media. "1.3 billion Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror."

Shooting everyone in the mosque

One man who said he was at the Al Noor mosque told media the gunman burst into the mosque as worshippers were kneeling for prayers.

"He had a big gun...He came and started shooting everyone in the mosque, everywhere," said the man, Ahmad Al-Mahmoud. He said he and others escaped by breaking through a glass door.

Facebook said it had deleted the gunman's accounts "shortly after the livestream commenced" after being alerted by police. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube all said they had taken steps to remove copies of the videos.&nbsp;

Ardern said she had asked authorities to look into whether there was any activity on social media or elsewhere ahead of the attack that should have alerted them.

Forty-one people were killed at the Al Noor mosque, seven at a mosque in the Linwood neighbourhood and one died in hospital, police said.

The visiting Bangladesh cricket team was arriving for prayers at one of the mosques when the shooting started but all members were safe, a team coach told Reuters.&nbsp;

Muslims account for just over 1 per cent of New Zealand's population, a 2013 census showed, most of whom were born overseas.

A website set up for victims had raised more than NZ$1 million ($684,000) in less than a day, and social media was flooded with messages of shock, sympathy and solidarity.

One image shared widely was of a cartoon kiwi, the country's national bird, weeping. Another showed a pair of figures, one in a headscarf, embracing. "This is your home and you should have been safe here" the caption read.

The main suspect in mass shootings at two New Zealand mosques was charged with one count of murder on Saturday, a day after the attack that killed 49 people and wounded dozens, prompting the prime minister to vow reform of the country's gun laws.

The main suspect in mass shootings at two New Zealand mosques was charged with one count of murder on Saturday, a day after the attack that killed 49 people and wounded dozens, prompting the prime minister to vow reform of the country's gun laws. Brenton Harrison Tarrant, a 28-year old Australian citizen, appeared in a Christchurch District Court and was remanded without a plea until his next scheduled appearance in the South Island city's High Court on April 5. Handcuffed and wearing a white prison suit, Tarrant did not speak. His court-appointed lawyer made no application for bail or name suppression. He was likely to face further charges, police said. The attack, which Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern labelled as terrorism, was the worst ever peacetime mass killing in New Zealand and the country raised its security threat level to the highest. Footage of the attack on one of the mosques was broadcast live on Facebook, and a "manifesto" was also posted online that denounced immigrants as "invaders". The video footage showed a man driving to the mosque, entering it and shooting randomly at people inside. Worshippers, possibly dead or wounded, lay on the floor, the video showed. Reuters was unable to confirm the footage's authenticity and police urged people not to view or share it. Police said two other people were in custody. Armed police were deployed at several locations in all cities, unusual in a country where levels of gun violence are low. Ardern said the main suspect was a licensed gun owner who used five weapons during his rampage, including two semi-automatic weapons and two shotguns. "I can tell you one thing right now, our gun laws will change," Ardern told reporters, saying a ban on semi-automatic weapons would be considered. None of those arrested had a criminal history or was on any watchlist in New Zealand or Australia. Sorrow sympathy There was a heavy police presence at the hospital where families of the more than 40 wounded had gathered. Funerals were planned on Saturday for some of the victims, several of whom were born overseas. Dozens of people laid flowers at cordons near both mosques in Christchurch, which is still rebuilding after a devastating earthquake in 2011 that killed almost 200 people. Leaders around the world expressed sorrow and disgust at the attacks, with some deploring the demonisation of Muslims. US President Donald Trump, who condemned the attack as a "horrible massacre", was praised by the accused gunman in a manifesto posted online as "a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose". Asked by a reporter in Washington if he thought white nationalism is a rising threat around the world, Trump said, "I don’t really. I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems. I guess if you look at what happened in New Zealand perhaps that’s a case, I don’t know enough about it yet." Ardern, who flew to Christchurch on Saturday, said she had spoken to Trump, who had asked how he could help. "My message was sympathy and love for all Muslim communities," she said she told him. Political and Islamic leaders across Asia and the Middle East voiced concern over the targeting of Muslims. "I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11," Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan posted on social media. "1.3 billion Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror." Shooting everyone in the mosque One man who said he was at the Al Noor mosque told media the gunman burst into the mosque as worshippers were kneeling for prayers. "He had a big gun...He came and started shooting everyone in the mosque, everywhere," said the man, Ahmad Al-Mahmoud. He said he and others escaped by breaking through a glass door. Facebook said it had deleted the gunman's accounts "shortly after the livestream commenced" after being alerted by police. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube all said they had taken steps to remove copies of the videos. Ardern said she had asked authorities to look into whether there was any activity on social media or elsewhere ahead of the attack that should have alerted them. Forty-one people were killed at the Al Noor mosque, seven at a mosque in the Linwood neighbourhood and one died in hospital, police said. The visiting Bangladesh cricket team was arriving for prayers at one of the mosques when the shooting started but all members were safe, a team coach told Reuters. Muslims account for just over 1 per cent of New Zealand's population, a 2013 census showed, most of whom were born overseas. A website set up for victims had raised more than NZ$1 million ($684,000) in less than a day, and social media was flooded with messages of shock, sympathy and solidarity. One image shared widely was of a cartoon kiwi, the country's national bird, weeping. Another showed a pair of figures, one in a headscarf, embracing. "This is your home and you should have been safe here" the caption read.

New Zealand mass shooting suspect charged with murder, remanded until April 5