Canterbury Police on Wednesday, March 4, conducted a search warrant at a Christchurch address and arrested a 19-year-old man who is a member of a white nationalist group.
Stuff has revealed the name of the 19-year-old as Sam Brittenden. Mr Brittenden appeared at Christchurch District Court on Thursday and was charged failing to assist a search warrant.
He was released on bail on the conditions not to visit Hagley Park, and not to carry firearms and restricted weapons. Mr Brittenden will appear in the court again on Thursday, March 19.
Mr Brittenden is sentenced by Dunedin District Court to 125 hours' community work and six months' supervision after pleading guilty to disorderly behaviour.
Police conducted a search operation concerning a threat message on Al Noor mosque received by the community earlier this week.
Police reported that a number of items including a vehicle were located at the address and the 19-year-old arrested appeared in Christchurch District Court and charged unrelated to the threat on Thursday morning.
Stuff reported that through multiple sources they confirmed the 19-year-old is a member of 'Action Zealandia', a far white nationalist group that in recent weeks has attempted to gain publicity.
Earlier on Monday, it was reported that a significant number of community members received an encrypted message via social media app Telegram that showed a man in a mask outside the Al Noor mosque with a threat message directing towards the community and March 15, 2019 incident.
This threat had come just two weeks before the Christchurch mosque attacks on March 15, 2019, that killed 51 people and injured 100.
Stuff added that an activist group in Paparoa that tracks nationalism and online hate speech alleges that it has evidence of the teenager describing his 'group of fascists' in Christchurch.
The Paparoa spokesperson said that they are deeply concerned with Islamophobia being increasingly normalised and tolerated in New Zealand.
The threat issued on Sunday night showed a photo of a masked man sitting outside in a car outside the mosque.
As reported on Stuff, the image showed a man wearing dark glasses and a balaclava printed with a picture of a human skull. Through a car window, the front of the Al Noor can be seen, and in the background, four people are visible at the entrance of the mosque.
The message accompanied with the photo was both in English and Ukrainian that implied the people at the 'same mosque' would be greeting each other for the 'last time' with a gun emoji or symbol also used in the message, Stuff reported.
Islamic Women's Council national co-ordinator Anjum Rahman told The Indian Weekender that she received a screenshot of the threat message on Monday morning of which she immediately notified the police. Police were aware of the threat via other sources and had already started their investigation.
"We knew that since the March 15 anniversary is coming, someone might try to create a nuisance and disturb the peace and harmony of the community," Ms Rahman said.
Security Intelligence Service director Rebecca Kitteridge last month warned that some Kiwis had been inspired by the March 15 terror attack, and monitoring such people had been difficult.
At a press conference on Monday afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was devastated to see Muslim people threatened nearly a year on from the Christchurch terror attack, RNZ reported.
Police said they are aware of that a number of people are sharing an image featuring Al Noor mosque which was initially published on social media and is creating significant stress and anxiety for the members of the community.
"This type of imagery has no place in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is abhorrent and will not be tolerated." Police said.
Police have referred the image to Chief Censor for consideration as to whether it should be classified as objectionable material.
If the image is classified as objectionable, anyone who knowingly possesses or shares the image commits a criminal offence and can receive a maximum of 14 years imprisonment.
"The safety of the community is our utmost priority. Police continue to work alongside Al Noor mosque, Linwood mosque, and other members of our community impacted by the terrible events of March 15, 2019," Superintendent John Price, Canterbury District Commander said.
Police have increased patrols around Al Noor and Linwood mosques and will be maintaining a visible presence in the community as the anniversary of the terror attack approaches.
"On behalf of NZ Police, I want to thank those members of the community who alerted us to the recent threat against Al Noor mosque.
"We ask that you continue to remain vigilant, and encourage you to report anything suspicious or concerning to police immediately." Police said.
A number of remembrance events are planned in major cities of the country, and some smaller events in mosques inviting the wider community for a prayer service for the people affected.
"Observing death anniversaries in not really a part of our Islamic faith, but this incident affects the broader Kiwi communities living in New Zealand. We all should pray for the fallen souls and their families who have endured through these tough times," Ms Rahman told The Indian Weekender.