The Christchurch mosque shooter who killed 51 people in 2019 is appealing his conviction and sentence.
The Wellington Court of Appeals confirmed to the Herald this morning that the gunman has appealed his conviction and sentence.
A spokeswoman for the Court of Appeal said no hearing date has been set yet.
In March 2020, the gunman pleaded guilty to 51 murders, 40 attempted murders and terrorism.
He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
When he pleaded guilty, many victims of the terror attack expressed relief at having been spared the trauma of going through trial.
The worst act of terror ever in New Zealand was filmed by the gunman and streamed live on Facebook, sparking gun reforms and a global political summit initiated by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.
Temel Atacocugu, who was shot nine times in the attack on the Al Noor mosque, had not heard the news of the appeal when the Herald contacted him and said he would discuss it with his lawyer tomorrow.
“He does these things to keep reminding the public that ‘I’m still here’.
“He’s not trying to be forgotten.
“It’s not going to work and he’s going to stay there forever.”
Rahimi Ahmad, who was shot at Al Noor and badly injured, was today “very surprised and depressed” about the terrorist’s latest move.
“I really hope his request is not granted,” he said.
“He was very lucky to be treated well in prison.”
Imam Gamal Fouda, who survived the terror attack at his Deans Ave mosque, where 44 worshipers were shot dead during Friday prayers, said he has faith in New Zealand’s justice system.
“I believe this will cause significant trauma to our community and the terrorist will gain nothing from it,” he said.
“I’m having a hard time understanding why he’s doing this when he pleaded guilty himself.” I can’t help but think that this is yet another move by this terrorist to re-inflict harm on his victims by keeping the memory of him and his terrorist actions alive.”
When contacted by the Herald today, the gunman’s attorney, Ron Mansfield KC, said he was “unavailable at this time”, but added that he was currently only appointed as counsel for the corona investigation into the terrorist attack of 15 March.
-By Kurt Bayer