The man who killed 51 people at two New Zealand mosques is appealing his conviction.
Brenton Tarrant, 32, is appealing his life sentence without parole, a sentencing that came in 2020 for the murder and attempted murder of Muslims.
His appeal date has not been set, according to the BBC.
Tarrant has said he has experienced “inhumane or degrading treatment” during his time in solitary confinement. He is being held at Paremoremo’s Auckland Prison, the BBC reports.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement that the appeal is Tarrant’s way of “re-victimizing people.”
“His is a name that shouldn’t be repeated, and I’m going to apply that same rule in commenting on his attempts to re-victimize people. We should give him nothing.”
A survivor of the 2019 attack, Imam Gamal Fouda, said he was “struggling to understand” the motive for Tarrant to appeal, especially since Tarrant “pleaded guilty” to the crime.
“I cannot help but think that this is another action from this terrorist to harm his victims again by keeping alive the memory of him and his terrorist actions,” he said.
In March 2019, Tarrant raided two mosques in New Zealand armed with military-grade, semi-automatic guns. He also livestreamed the attack on Facebook via a camera attached to his head. He also published a 74-page manifesto about the attacks.
The attack was the worst mass shooting in the country’s history, and days after the attack, the government announced a ban on all military-style, semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles.
He did not testify during the trial but pled guilty to murder, attempted murder and terrorism. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
“Your crimes are so wicked that even if you are detained until you die, it will not exhaust the requirements of punishment,” said Judge Cameron Mander during sentencing.”
New Zealand does not have the death penalty.
Related:
49 Killed, 20 Injured in Christchurch Mosques in Deadliest Mass Shooting in New Zealand History
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Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
