Anti-Islamic posters: Arrest made in relation to Queenstown hate attack
23 Dec, 2020 10:23 PM
2 minutes to read
Queenstown Islamic Centre and the Gorge Rd Retail Centre car park were targeted with offensive anti-Islamic posters. Photo / Otago Daily Times
NZ Herald
An arrest has been made in connection to anti-Islamic posters being plastered around Queenstown.
Southern District Commander Superintendent Paul Basham said they made an arrest in connection to the posters, which were put up around the Islamic Centre on Gorge Rd.
An 18-year-old man has appeared in the Queenstown District Court on Thursday charged with possession of a knife.
Police expect to lay further charges in due course.
Charlie Hebdo, which was attacked in a reprisal by Islamic extremists in 2015, leaving 12 staff dead.
Boult said the posters were quickly removed. He could only remember one previous incident of anti-Islamic material being posted around town, calling this latest act an isolated incident.
He had a pre-arranged meeting with the Muslim community scheduled for Wednesday. On behalf of the community I will be apologising to them, although obviously it s beyond our control to stop some of the idiot faction doing these things.
Police told Newshub they are investigating. Police are taking this matter seriously, as we do all reports of hate speech or behaviour that causes concern to our communities.