New Zealand teenager charged with distributing mosque rampage livestream

Messages written in chalk are seen on a pavement in Christchurch on March 18, 2019, after 50 worshippers were killed last week in two mosque attacks. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she would be looking for answers from Facebook and other social media firms about how an attack that killed 50 mosque-goers was livestreamed on their platforms. DAVID MOIR / AFP

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – An 18-year-old has appeared in a New Zealand court charged with distributing the livestream video of a deadly mass shooting at Christchurch's Al Noor mosque.

The teenager, whose name was suppressed by the judge, was also charged with publishing a photograph of the mosque with the message "target acquired," and for inciting violence.

He faces a maximum of 14 years in prison for each charge, prosecutors said.

A judge did not grant him bail and he is due back in court on April 8.

The hearing came after 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant allegedly carried out the shootings at Al Moor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch on Friday, March 15, in which 50 people were killed and dozens more injured. (READ: New Zealand mosque attacks: What we know)

Investigators had said the teenager was so far not believed to be directly involved in his attacks.

District Court Judge Stephen O'Driscoll added that details related to the charges were also to be suppressed. – Rappler.com