Man charged with mosque murders in Christchurch had white supremacist symbols on guns

Sky News – A 28-year-old Australian man has been charged with murder after a terror attack at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand left 49 people killed.

Brenton Tarrant, handcuffed and wearing a white prison suit, appeared in court on Saturday morning, a day after the usually peaceful nation suffered its deadliest terror attack.

He stood silently in the Christchurch District Court, smirking when media photographed him in the dock where he was flanked by two police officers.

He appeared to be making a gesture with his hands which has been interpreted by some as a white supremacist sign, while others believe it is a reference to an online joke.

During a brief hearing at Christchurch District Court, Tarrant was remanded without a plea. He is due back in court on April 5 and police said he was likely to face further charges.

Tarrant is accused of murdering a man, whose name was suppressed by Judge Paul Kellar on the grounds of undue hardship to his family in Christchurch yesterday.

Dozens were injured in the attacks at al Noor and Linwood mosques. Eleven people are still in a critical condition.