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A HERO dad who chased the Christchurch mosque terrorist today slammed suspect Brenton Tarrant for laughing in court.

Tarrant, 28, pleaded not guilty to killing 51 worshippers during a shooting rampage at two mosques in New Zealand on March 15.

Tarrant is accused of killing 51 people at two Christchurch mosques on March 15, 2019, and appeared via video link at the Christchurch District Court.
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Tarrant is accused of killing 51 people at two Christchurch mosques on March 15, 2019, and appeared via video link at the Christchurch District Court.Credit: AP:Associated Press
Brenton Tarrant has today denied being the Christchurch mosque terror attacker
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Brenton Tarrant, pictured at an earlier hearing, has denied being the Christchurch mosque terror attackerCredit: AP:Associated Press
Abdul Aziz, who chased the gunman, speaks to journalists outside the court in Christchurch
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Abdul Aziz, who chased the gunman, speaks to journalists outside the court in ChristchurchCredit: Reuters

Wearing a grey sweatshirt, Tarrant reportedly smirked as he appeared via video link from Paremoremo Prison in Auckland.

He pleaded not guilty to 51 charges of murder, 40 charges of attempted murder and one terrorism charge at the Christchurch High Court.

The courtroom was filled with victims – survivors and family members of the 51 killed in the terror atrocity.

In the attack, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic weapons targeted Muslims attending Friday prayers in Christchurch on March 15.

Abdul Aziz, who chased the gunman with his own gun, spoke outside the courtroom.

He said: "He was laughing there (in court) and he thinks he was so tough, but he was a coward when he faced me and he ran.

"He was not man enough to stand up that time and (now) he's standing there and laughing.

SMIRKING SHOOTING SUSPECT

"Put me for 15 minutes in one cell and then we will see if he can laugh any more.

"It was very hard for us even just to look at him."

Temel Atacocugu, who was shot nine times in the attack, remained defiant.

He said: "We are strong. He is the loser and we are the winners. He will lose."

High Court Justice Cameron Mander said the trial will commence on May 4 next year.

Tarrant has been remanded in custody until August 16 when a case review hearing is scheduled.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern labelled New Zealand's worst peacetime mass shooting an act of terrorism.

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She quickly introduced tough new firearm laws which banned semi-automatic weapons.

Muslims worldwide have praised New Zealand's response to the massacre, with many singling out Ardern's gesture of wearing a headscarf to meet victims' families.

The PM also urged the country to unite with the call: "We are one".

Suspected Christchurch gunman Brenton Tarrant appears in court charged with murder
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said now was the time to focus on the victims not the killer
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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said now was the time to focus on the victims not the killerCredit: Getty Images - Getty
(From top left) Khaled Mustafa, father and son Naeem Rashid and Talha, Ashraf Ali, Atta Elayyan, Hussain al-Umari, Akhtar Khokhur, Vora Ramiz and Hamza Mustafa were all victims of the mass shooting
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(From top left) Khaled Mustafa, father and son Naeem Rashid and Talha, Ashraf Ali, Atta Elayyan, Hussain al-Umari, Akhtar Khokhur, Vora Ramiz and Hamza Mustafa were all victims of the mass shooting
Taj Mohammed Kamran, a survivor of the Christchurch mosque attacks, speaks outside the courtroom
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Taj Mohammed Kamran, a survivor of the Christchurch mosque attacks, speaks outside the courtroomCredit: AP:Associated Press
John Milne, father of Sayyad Milne who was killed in Christchurch mosque attacks, shows a photo of his son
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John Milne, father of Sayyad Milne who was killed in Christchurch mosque attacks, shows a photo of his sonCredit: AFP
Temel Atacocugu was shot nine times in the mosque attacks
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Temel Atacocugu was shot nine times in the mosque attacksCredit: AP:Associated Press
Janna Ezat, mother of Al Noor mosque shooting victim, Hussein Al-Umari shows a shirt bearing his photo
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Janna Ezat, mother of Al Noor mosque shooting victim, Hussein Al-Umari shows a shirt bearing his photoCredit: AP:Associated Press
A man, centre, argues with survivors of the attack outside the courtroom
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A man, centre, argues with survivors of the attack outside the courtroomCredit: AP:Associated Press
The man is then ushered away by police
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The man is then ushered away by policeCredit: AP:Associated Press
Janna Zat, whose son Hussein Al-Umari was killed at Al Noor Mosque, speaks to the media
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Janna Zat, whose son Hussein Al-Umari was killed at Al Noor Mosque, speaks to the mediaCredit: Getty Images - Getty

 

New Zealand mosque terrorist had a gun licence and was carrying FIVE deadly weapons, PM reveals as she vows to change the law

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