White Supremacist Behind Christchurch Mosque Attacks Given Life Imprisonment without Parole

CHRISTCHURCH, KOMPAS.com – The white supremacist responsible for the Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand has been handed a life imprisonment sentence without parole.

Muslims and non-Muslims celebrated by cheering and singing together outside the New Zealand court Thursday where the sentencing and trial took place.

The gunman carried out a bloody rampage at two Christchurch mosques last year. One survivor said that he will be able to sleep at night again following the sentencing.

Read also: Families Confront Brenton Tarrant, Christchurch Mosque Gunman

"What we have seen today is the justice that we hoped (for)," said Gamal Fouda, imam of Christchurch's Al Noor mosque, as well-wishers handed flowers to the survivors and bereaved family members emerging from the Christchurch High Court.

Australian Brenton Tarrant, 29, began his killing spree at Al Noor before moving to a second mosque in suburban Linwood while Muslims were at Friday prayers on March 15 last year.

He murdered 51 people that day, and at the end of a four-day hearing, he became the first person in New Zealand to be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Afghan refugee Taj Kamran, who was shot several times in the leg and still requires walking aids, leaned against a fence as he raised his arms in joy.

"Tonight I will be able to sleep," he said.

"I could not sleep after the shooting, I cried a lot."

Despite the sentence, the strictest possible under New Zealand law, Fouda said the loss inflicted by Tarrant was irreversible.

"No punishment is going to bring our loved ones back and our sadness will continue for the rest of our lives," he said.

Some survivors and family members of victims described feeling relief, and the hope for some closure.

Abdul Aziz, who chased the gunman from the Linwood mosque, said the sentence was "what he deserved to get and what we deserved to get. We can move on with our lives."

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