New Zealand investigations are looking into the background of Brenton Harrison Tarrant after he livestreamed himself attacking a Christchurch mosque while people were at prayer, resulting in the death of 50 people and dozens injured.
His rifle had the name of a Greek War of Independence hero and his 74-page manifesto included a section addressed to Turks regarding Hagia Sophia and Constantinople.
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Police released a statement on Sunday confirming that the shooter had stayed on the Greek islands of Crete and Santorini and had passed through Greece twice in 2016. Authorities in Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia and Hungary have also confirmed visits between 2016 and 2017. Tarrant was particularly interested in the Ottoman Empire, and he had visited Turkey in March and September 2018.
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Following confirmation of Tarrant’s visits to Greece, Greek police are searching for clues as to Tarrant’s activities in Greece and are looking for phone records or purchases made during his stay.