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New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives vile death threats after Christchurch mosque shootings: 'You are next'

The death threats against Jacinda Ardern come a week after 50 people were killed by 28-year-old Brenton Tarrant at two Christchurch mosques in an incident that shocked New Zealand

BY MANGALA DILIP

UPDATED FEB 20, 2020

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (Source : Getty Images)

In the aftermath of the devastating Christchurch mosque terrorist attacks on March 15, the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has reportedly been targeted with vile death threats.

Police are investigating at least two of the threats that were made against her on social media, one of which featured the image of a gun along with the tweet caption “You are next.” Another post featuring the same image went with the caption, “Next is you.”

According to the New Zealand Herald, the first post had been up for more than 48 hours before the sender's Twitter account was suspended before 4 pm on Friday as a result of multiple complaints. The account contained many anti-Islamic content and white supremacist hate speech.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hugs a mosque-goer at the Kilbirnie Mosque on March 17, 2019 in Wellington, New Zealand. 50 people are confirmed dead and 36 are injured still in hospital following shooting attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, 15 March. The attack is the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's history. (Getty Images)

"Police are aware of a comment made on Twitter and are making enquiries,” said a police spokesperson. A spokesperson for Twitter revealed, "We took action shortly after we received the first report on this tweet, and our teams continue to work pro-actively to remove violative and illegal content from the service in relation to the Christchurch attack. We also continue to cooperate with law enforcement to facilitate their investigations as required."

The threats come a week after 50 people were killed by 28-year-old Brenton Tarrant from Australia who went on a shooting spree at two mosques in Christchurch. The attacks began at the Al Noor Mosque in the suburb of Riccarton at 1.40 pm, and continued at the Linwood Islamic Centre around 1.55 pm on Friday.

A New Zealand flag is placed next to flowers and tributes near Al Noor mosque on March 18, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. 50 people were killed, and dozens are still injured in hospital after a gunman opened fire on two Christchurch mosques on Friday, 15 March. The accused attacker, 28-year-old Australian, Brenton Tarrant, has been charged with murder and remanded in custody until April 5. The attack is the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's history. (Getty Images)

Described in media reports as a white supremacist and a member of the alt-right movement, the man has been arrested and charged with murder. The attack is seen as part of the widespread white supremacism and alt-right extremism globally.

Ardern had referred to the attacks — the deadliest mass shooting in modern New Zealand history — as "one of New Zealand's darkest days,” further stating that it represented "an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence.”