News
The article is more than 6 years old

Finland condemns "cowardly" terrorist acts in NZ

The Finnish Foreign Ministry has condemned the terrorist attacks on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Masjid Al Noor -moskeija Christchurchissa.
The Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch. Image: Mertin Hunter / EPA
  • Yle News

At least 49 people died and 20 people were injured in shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday. New Zealand authorities said they have detained three men and one woman as suspects in the attack.

Finland's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack in a message on Twitter on Friday morning.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that many of the victims were most likely migrants to New Zealand or even refugees, according to the New York Times.

After the attack, it emerged that the shooter had published a so-called 'manifesto', in which he declared he was a racist and a fascist, and claimed to be taking revenge for recent high-profile events including a 2017 terror attack in Stockholm and a series of sexual abuse cases, including those alleged to have taken place in Oulu last year.

Sources: Yle