New Zealand

Brenton’s travels

March 17, 2019 2:36 pm

28-year-old Brenton Harrison Tarrant, appeared in Christchurch District Court yesterday morning.

Britain’s security service, MI5, is reportedly investigating the man charged over the Christchurch mosque shootings, looking into possible links to far-right extremists in that country.

28-year-old Brenton Harrison Tarrant, appeared in Christchurch District Court yesterday morning.

He faces one murder charge, but police say more are likely.

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Tarrant is believed to have met extreme right-wing groups during a visit to Europe two years ago, security sources told UK paper The Independent.

He reportedly started to travel about 2011 after the death of his father, heading to Turkey and Pakistan, as well as the Balkans.

Turkey has also confirmed it is looking at the man’s visits to that country, and Bulgarian authorities say he had visited Bulgaria last year.

New Zealand security intelligence officers are also piecing together a picture of Tarrant’s background that includes travelling the world and sporadically spending time in Dunedin.