Turkey visit of New Zealand mosque shooter ‘beyond touristic trip’: Minister

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Turkish justice minister on March 25 said Turkey visit of Brenton Tarrant who attacked two mosques in New Zealand was beyond a touristic travel.

“It is obvious that visit of the person, who perpetrated the incident in New Zealand, to Turkey is beyond a touristic visit,” Abdulhamit Gül told Anadolu Agency.

Gül said Turkey expects a transparent investigation process into the deadly terror attacks and hopes, if there is any other organization and people behind the attacks, it will be revealed.

Turkey is ready for any kind of cooperation with New Zealand authorities, Gül said, adding the terrorist's steps in Turkey and other countries should be investigated thoroughly.

“We [Turkey] will be supporting New Zealand in this matter. The whole world should be supportive, as well,” he said.

At least 50 Muslims were killed and as many injured on March 15 when a terrorist - identified as Australian-born Brenton Tarrant, 28 - entered the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch and shot worshippers in cold blood, including four children younger than 18.

Tarrant visited Turkey twice in 2016 according to Turkish officials, who said they were evaluating the possibility that the terrorist would have come to the country to carry out a terror or suicide operation.