Austria confirms link between far-right group, NZ terrorist

By Askin Kiyagan

VIENNA (AA) – Austria’s Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Wednesday confirmed the link between a far-right movement and a terrorist, who attacked two mosques and killed 50 Muslims in New Zealand.

“It has been confirmed that there is a financial link between the man who perpetrated the attack in New Zealand and the Identitarian Movement in Austria," Kurz told reporters following a Cabinet meeting.

On Monday, the movement’s spokesman Martin Sellner’s house was searched as part of an investigation to probe possible links to the terrorist -- identified as Australian-born Brenton Tarrant -- who entered the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand and shot worshippers in cold blood, including four children.

Sellner’s bank accounts were tracked by the police and around €1,500 ($1,692) was donated to him from a person whose surname was the same as the terrorist.

Austria’s intelligence body also said the terrorist visited Austria last November.

Kurz stressed any kind of extremism will not be allowed in Austria, adding that perpetrators will be dealt according to the law.

He also said the link would be investigated thoroughly and that he had talked to interior and justice ministers about dissolving the far-right Identitarian Movement.

“Both ministries will mobilize all their means against this movement,” he added.

The Identitarian Movement is known for its anti-migrant and anti-Muslim stance.

* Writing by Sena Guler