Turkey visit of the terrorist who attacked two mosques in New Zealand was beyond a touristic travel, Turkey's justice minister said on Monday.
“It is obvious that visit of the person, who perpetrated the incident in New Zealand, to Turkey is beyond a touristic visit,” Abdulhamit Gül told reporters.
Gül condemned the terror attack, and he said that the West did not give a desired reaction.
“In the West, policy and the language in the media are built on xenophobia,” Gul said, adding that if there had been an efficient reaction by these countries, it would have served as an opportunity to prevent these kind of incidents in the future.
“[…] but New Zealand’s government, prime minister and the nation have adopted a very good attitude in this matter,” he said, underlining the country’s strong stance against terrorism and the solidarity they showed for the Muslim community.
Stating that terror has no religion, Gul said the act could not be labeled as “Christian terror, Jewish terror, Islamic terror” depending on the religion of the perpetrator.
Gül said Turkey expects a transparent investigation process into the deadly terror attacks and hopes, if there is any other organization and people behind the attacks, it will be revealed.
Turkey is ready for any kind of cooperation with New Zealand authorities, Gül said, adding the terrorist’s steps in Turkey and other countries should be investigated thoroughly.
“We [Turkey] will be supporting New Zealand in this matter. The whole world should be supportive, as well,” he said.
At least 50 Muslims were killed and as many injured on March 15 when a terrorist -- identified as Australian-born Brenton Tarrant, 28 -- entered the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch and shot worshippers in cold blood, including four children younger than 18.
The terrorist visited Turkey twice in 2016 according to Turkish officials, who said they were evaluating the possibility that the terrorist would have come to the country to carry out a terror or suicide operation.
