Convicted Australian 15 March Terrorist Exploiting NZ Legal System At The Expense Of Public Trust – FIANZ
“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”.
“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.
