Questions about Christchurch Mosque Attack to Be Asked at Hearing This Week
Masjid An-Nur imam Gamal Fouda said many still had unanswered questions about the events of that day – questions they did not get to ask after the terrorist’s guilty pleas meant a full criminal court trial was never held.
Fouda said the royal commission of inquiry into the terror attack looked at everything that happened up until the moment the gunman arrived at the Masjid An-Nur (Al Noor mosque), but not what happened after.
The coronial inquest would be an opportunity to ask questions about what happened from the moment the first shots were fired.
Fouda said this included asking about an allegation that police switched off security cameras inside the mosque less than 30 minutes after the gunman had left, and why. There were also questions about victims who reportedly called their families after they were shot, but died before paramedics were able to get to them.
The imam said he wanted to know why police did not block off Deans Ave when they first arrived on the scene, which possibly could have stopped the gunman from making his way to Linwood Islamic Centre where he continued his rampage.
The scope hearing will take place over three days from Tuesday and will be conducted remotely.
Interested parties will appear before Coroner Brigitte Windley via video-link to make oral submissions, while others will rely on written submissions to the coroner.
The gunman, who is serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole in the Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit within Auckland Prison, will be allowed to dial into the hearing, but won’t be seen or heard by the other participants.
It is understood that his lawyer, Ron Mansfield QC, could make oral submissions on his behalf, although that has not yet been confirmed.
The coronial inquiry is an in-depth investigation into the causes and circumstances of the deaths resulting from the attacks. It will allow the coroner to make recommendations or comments that might prevent similar deaths happening in the future.
The hearing taking place this week will assist the coroner in refining the scope of her inquiry, but will not take the form of an inquest. Whether an inquest (a hearing to hear and test evidence under oath in relation to any of the inquiry issues) will occur, is yet to be determined.
Farid Ahmed, whose wife Husna, 44, was killed, said he chose not to be involved in the coronial process because it would only open old wounds. His forgiveness was not just with the killer, “but with everything”.
“I could find out some answers, but that will not bring Husna back, and maybe that would bring some more pain about it.”
In October last year, then Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall released a minute outlining some issues that would likely be deemed within the scope of the inquiry, including the emergency first response to provide medical aid to victims and the survivability of those who died.
This includes what is known about each of the victim's movements, whether anyone who died could have been saved with faster medical treatment, and whether first responders were sufficiently equipped with both training and resources.
How the terrorist was radicalized and what was known about his travel history are considered out of the scope of the coronial inquiry as they are not relevant to the cause and circumstances of the deaths.
Source: stuff.co.nz
