New Zealand attack prime accused appears in court

The prime accused of New Zealand's Christchurch mosque attack killing 49 people and injuring many others had appeared in court on charges of murder.

The accused Brenton Tarrant, 28, filmed himself going berserk in the two mosques shooting helpless innocent people. His court appointed lawyer did not request for bail and Tarrant had been taken into custody until his next court appearance, which has been scheduled for April 05.

According to a New Zealand Herald,  "Handcuffed, barefoot wearing a white prison suit, Tarrant did not speak. Flanked by two police officers, he smirked when media persons photographed him during the hearing and was seen making the white power gesture".

The accused documented his two years preparation in a "manifesto" detailing motivations for the attack. The video was posted on Friday morning onto a Twitter account and live streamed the attack on his Facebook account.

Terming the attack as a terrorist attack, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern feels the urgent need of changing the gun laws in the country as the accused legally purchased all the weapons he used for the attack.

The firearms included two semi-automatic rifles, two shotguns and a lever-action weapon.

The police have warned Muslims across the country not to visit mosques anywhere in New Zealand in the wake of the Christchurch attacks.

(Featured Image: Stuff.co.nz)