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Christchurch terror attacks: Security tight for Brenton Tarrant’s sentencing

Ben McKayAAP
VideoDozens of victims will attend the sentencing hearing for Christchurch gunman Brenton Tarrant

The moment of truth has arrived for victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks, dozens of whom will attend court for the terrorist’s sentencing.

Victims and family members of the 51 people murdered by Australian man Brenton Tarrant have travelled from across the world, Australia and New Zealand to take part.

Sixty-six will be offered the chance to speak and share their loss in a Christchurch court over four days, beginning Monday.

Justice Cameron Mander will bear their suffering in mind when giving his sentence at the end of the lengthy hearing, which is expected to be life imprisonment, and possibly with no chance of parole.

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“That’s never been imposed in New Zealand,” renowned local lawyer Nigel Hampton QC told TVNZ.

“But (Justice Mander) in his discretion can say ’sorry but no, you’re serving life imprisonment without the right to apply for parole’.”

Brenton Tarrant, 28, of Australia filmed himself just before live streaming mass shootings at mosques in Christchurch.
Camera IconBrenton Tarrant, 28, of Australia filmed himself just before live streaming mass shootings at mosques in Christchurch. Credit: Unknown/Supplied

Mr Hampton said Tarrant’s decision to represent himself and be present in the courtroom, and the sheer weight of family members to give evidence, would mean “the emotional temperature in that courtroom is going to rise considerably”.

However, not all of the 50-plus victims who have travelled from around the world — including Australia, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Jordan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Fiji, Egypt and Singapore — will make it to Christchurch.

Nine who were granted entry by the government “have been unable to reach New Zealand in time due to COVID-related travel disruptions”, according to Victims Support NZ.

They will instead watch the livestream of proceedings from their hotel rooms where they are undergoing mandatory isolation.

People light a candle to leave with flowers and tributes near Al Noor mosque.
Camera IconPeople light a candle to leave with flowers and tributes near Al Noor mosque. Credit: Carl Court/Getty Images

Christchurch’s justice precinct has been transformed ahead of the week, with Tarrant reportedly staying in the building which houses both the courtroom and police headquarters in the city’s CBD.

The 29-year-old returned to Canterbury on Sunday for the first time since the atrocity, flown from Auckland on an Air Force Hercules plane and taken by local police and corrections staff.

A security check is seen as victims arrive at Christchurch High Court for the sentencing hearing of Brenton Harrison Tarrant.
Camera IconA security check is seen as victims arrive at Christchurch High Court for the sentencing hearing of Brenton Harrison Tarrant. Credit: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

Heavily armed police are stationed on both sides of the building, which has been barricaded off from the street, with local media capturing images of military-style vehicles in the precinct.

Armed police also are also keeping watch outside the two mosques that Tarrant attacked.

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