News24
12 Sep 2019, 17:41 GMT+10
New Zealand's High Court on Thursday altered next year's trial dates for the man accused of murdering 51 Muslim worshippers in Christchurch mosques to avoid the hearing clashing with the holy month of Ramadan.
Australian Brenton Tarrant's trial was due to begin on May 4, 2020, which next year will coincide with Ramadan in the Islamic calendar.
A statement released by the court said prosecutors were concerned the clash would pose a problem.
"A number of the witnesses to be called at trial are of the Islamic faith," it said.
It said a new June 2, 2020 start date for the trial had been confirmed after the defence raised no objection to the change.
The court is scheduled to hold a brief hearing on October 3, when it is expected to make a decision on a request by the defence team to move the trial away from Christchurch.
The South Island city was the scene of the worst mass shooting in modern New Zealand history on March 15 this year, when Tarrant allegedly opened fire at two mosques while livestreaming his actions on social media.
Tarrant, a self-avowed white supremacist, has been charged with 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and engaging in a terrorist act.
Get a daily dose of Auckland Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Auckland Sun.
More InformationIn the past month alone, 23 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza—three more than the number of remaining living hostages held...
LONDON, U.K.: At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives as a result of the U.K.'s Post Office scandal, in which...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: After months of warnings from former federal officials and weather experts, the deadly flash floods that struck the...
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 11 (ANI): Karun Nair, Prasidh Krishna, and Mayank Agarawal were amongst the key players retained...
(Photo credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images) If you enjoy racing at NASCAR's snaking road courses, you have come to the right place over...
London [UK], July 11 (ANI): World best Jasprit Bumrah breezed past the legendary Kapil Dev to break the record for most five-wicket...
New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): England batter Jason Roy has been announced as replacement for Faf du Plessis in the Hundred at Southern...
New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): Ireland batter Peter Moor has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 35...
London [UK], July 10 (ANI): Indian skipper Shubman Gill took a hilarious and brutal jibe at England's slow pace of scoring during the...