Wellington:The sentencing of the Australian man accused of attacking two mosques in New Zealand's Christchurch city last year that killed 51 people, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, judicial sources said on Thursday.
On March 26, Brenton Tarrant pleaded guilty to all charges -– 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one under the Terrorism Suppression Act -– by videolink at the High Court in the South Island city of Christchurch, where the attack took place.
It was the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's history and Tarrant became the country's first convicted terrorist, with his sentencing which was set for June 2.
However, Justice Cameron Mander indicated that although the relaxation of social restrictions prompted by the pandemic in New Zealand has allowed the vast majority of the victims and their families who reside in the country to attend the sentencing, international travel restrictions still presented difficulties to those abroad.
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"The global pandemic and the imposition of border controls and quarantine requirements continue to severely impact international travel and the ability for those overseas to enter New Zealand," Justice Mander said.
"An acute issue that has, therefore, come to the fore in recent weeks is how to facilitate the participation of victims and family members who are presently overseas and who may either still wish to travel to attend the hearing in person or, if unable to do so, who may be content to be accommodated by arrangements to participate remotely by using audio-visual technology."
Once an assessment has been made based on the persons' positions, a new date for the sentencing will be set.
Tarrant was further remanded in custody until July 13 pending the completion of the inquiries.