NZ mosque attack suspect to face 50 murder charges

The man accused of carrying out the Christchurch mosque attacks will face 50 murder charges and 39 attempted murder charges during his second court appearance.

Christchurch: Accused in the Christchurch mosque attacks will face 50 murder charges and 39 attempt to murder charges during his second court appearance, New Zealand police said on Thursday.

Fifty people had died and another 50 were injured in the March 15 attacks on two mosques.

Earlier the police had filed a single, representative murder charge against 28-year-old Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant.

Tarrant is due to appear via video link during Friday's brief hearing, and won't be allowed to enter a plea.

After his first appearance in the Christchurch District Court, the case has been moved to the High Court due to the seriousness of the charges.

According to the judge, the brief hearing would mainly be about the accused's legal representation, and the accused has said he wants to represent himself.