The Christchurch mosque terrorist’s appeal hearing is set to begin tomorrow in Wellington, New Zealand. The 35-year-old Australian, who killed 51 people during the attacks on March 15, 2019, is seeking leave to appeal his conviction and sentence, and similarly intends to withdraw his guilty plea.
Appeal Focuses on Guilty Plea
The Court of Appeal will primarily consider the application to vacate the guilty pleas. The central question is whether the perpetrator was capable of making rational decisions when he entered those pleas, given his claims that the conditions of his imprisonment were “torturous and inhumane.”
The appeal reopens painful memories for those affected by the tragedy. Sara Qasem, whose father Abdelfattah was killed in the Al Noor mosque, described the appeal as “pretty shocking to be honest.” She expressed concern that the hearing could provide a platform for the perpetrator to disseminate his views, stating, “It’s no secret this will just be used as a platform for the perpetrator to express his violent and dark points of view and perspective and try to get that back out into the world.”
Christchurch barrister James Rapley believes the court will prevent the hearing from becoming a platform for hate speech. He stated, “The Court of Appeal won’t allow it to become a platform for hate speech, of that I’m sure.”
Guilty Plea and Subsequent Sentencing
The perpetrator initially pleaded guilty to 51 charges of murder and one charge of terrorism a year after the massacre. This occurred on the first day of a nationwide Covid lockdown and took place in a closed court, preventing victims’ families from attending. Temel Atacocugu, who was shot nine times during the attack, expressed relief at the time, saying, “I’m emotional, phew, one job is done, so he is guilty, he accepted.”
Rapley emphasized the importance of due process, stating, “He’s committed the most heinous of terrorist acts, killing innocent people and changing the fabric of our society forever, but everyone has to be treated the same under our law.” He added that the court will need to determine if there are valid grounds for the appeal.
Many victims’ families, including Sara Qasem, plan to attend the hearing. Qasem acknowledged the pain of revisiting the trauma but asserted, “Does it worry me? He doesn’t have that power over me, my love is far greater than my fear.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this appeal hearing?
The 35-year-old Australian is applying for leave to appeal his conviction and sentence, and also intends to withdraw his guilty plea.
What is the central argument of the appeal?
The central issue is whether the perpetrator was capable of making rational decisions when he entered his guilty pleas, due to the conditions of his imprisonment, which he claims were “torturous and inhumane.”
When did the perpetrator initially plead guilty?
The perpetrator pleaded guilty to 51 charges of murder and one charge of terrorism a year after the massacre, coinciding with the first day of a nationwide Covid lockdown.
How will communities continue to grapple with the aftermath of such a horrific event, and what role does the legal process play in the ongoing journey toward healing?
