Latest news with #BrentonTarrant
Memri
a day ago
- Politics
- Memri
Russian Security Forces Target Neo-Nazis In Mass Arrests In 81 Regions Across The Nation
In mid-May 2025, Russian security services carried out large-scale operations aimed at preventing the further spread of an "ideology of violence, mass murder, and suicide" among minors. The operation covered 81 regions (of 89 total) in the country. According to news reports, preventive measures have been taken against 305 minors who "fell under the influence of foreign moderators promoting destructive ideology." YOU MUST BE SUBSCRIBED TO THE MEMRI DOMESTIC TERRORISM THREAT MONITOR (DTTM) TO READ THE FULL REPORT. GOVERNMENT AND MEDIA CAN REQUEST A COPY BY WRITING TO DTTMSUBS@ WITH THE REPORT TITLE IN THE SUBJECT LINE. PLEASE INCLUDE FULL ORGANIZATIONAL DETAILS AND AN OFFICIAL EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR REQUEST. NOTE: WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE A COPY ONLY TO MEMBERS OF GOVERNMENT, LAW ENFORCEMENT, MEDIA, AND ACADEMIA, AND TO SUBSCRIBERS; IF YOU DO NOT MEET THESE CRITERIA PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST. On May 15, 2025, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) disclosed it had arrested six people involved in the preparation of attacks on schools in Moscow and Tyumen. The FSB also detained 57 administrators of Telegram channels and chatrooms which featured terrorist and neo-Nazi ideology. The investigative activities were carried out by the FSB together with the officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Investigative Committee, and troops from the National Guard of Russia. The operation went beyond the 81 Russian regions, but extended into the occupied regions of Ukraine. The screenshot of a video clip by a Russian state-owned media outlet showing weapons found during searches of the homes of the detainees. According to the FSB release, components for making homemade explosive devices, weapons, plans of armed attacks, symbols, and propaganda materials of neo-Nazi and terrorist organizations were confiscated from the detainees' homes. Video of one of the arrests (apparently of the detainees suspected of preparing terrorist attacks) shows smoothbore guns, sawed-off shotguns, revolvers and cartridges for them, knives, batons, various flags, books about the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in Colorado, and about Alexander Pichushkin, an infamous Russian serial killer, as well as various items bearing neo-Nazi and occult symbols. The authorities didn't report what Telegram channels were blocked. However, the video of the arrests shows that apparently one of the blocked channels was dedicated to Brenton Tarrant, who attacked two mosques in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, which resulted in the deaths of 51 people. Russia's main newspaper, Rossiskaya Gazeta, (RG) reported that in total, the raids resulted in preventive measures against 305 minors, who, according to the paper, "fell under the influence of foreign moderators promoting destructive ideology." Additionally, according to the media, while searching the detainees' phones, the FSB officers found correspondence with "Ukrainian curators," and "instructions on sabotage and terrorist attacks, as well as on the manufacturing and use of means of terror." The Legal Process It seems that the charges have been already brought against four teenagers in Mari El Republic, one in Udmurtia Republic, and one in the city of Rostov-on-Don. In the latter case, a minor made homemade explosives, which he stored in his apartment. The case of the four teenagers arrested in Mari El seems to be different in nature. According to the RG, the accomplices were physically attacking foreigners on the street. Two of those arrested, who are minors, had joined an unnamed terrorist organization after which, "on the instructions of a curator from Ukraine," for a material reward of 32,000 rubles (about $400), they set a car on fire using "patriotic symbols" in the village of Ryabinka (Mari El). A screenshot of a video clip by a Russia's state-owned media outlet shows an arsenal belonging to one of those arrested during the police raids. It's not known whether the cases of all those arrested are related to each other. Only the four minors detained in Mari El were organized in a group. On May 19, 2025, a Telegram news channel reported on a case from the Russian city of Nefteyugansk. In this case, a 16-year-old ninth grader received a call from a man who introduced himself as the head teacher of his school and was able to obtain personal information from the teen. A few hours later, the teen received a call allegedly from Rosfinmonitoring, which informed him that someone had gained access to his family's bank accounts and that a criminal case would be initiated against his family for transferring money to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The scammers first forced the student to transfer 200,000 rubles (about $2,500) to them, and then convinced him to search the city for cars with St. George ribbons and stickers in honour of Victory Day, and to set them on fire. In a few hours, the teenager managed to set four cars on fire. In Russia, it is quite common for fraudsters to force victims to set fire to administrative buildings, cars, military registration centers, or enlistment offices. Usually, the scammers' victims in such cases are elderly people or teenagers. For example, one newspaper reported another case. On December 27, 2024, a 70-year-old woman from Kursk, after a call from scammers claiming to be representatives of the special services, set fire to the "MFTs" premises on Shchepkina Street using a flammable liquid. A case was launched against the woman under Article 205, "Terrorism," of the Russian Criminal Code. A maximum sentence is up to 20 years in prison. Neo-Nazi groups support members who commit direct actions: For example, assaults, dissemination of National Socialist propaganda and arsons. One group unites autonomous neo-Nazi gangs and financially supports "comrades, who have already proven themselves." The group adds, however, that this is not a payment, but "support for further similar activities." However, neither this group, nor another large grouping of autonomous neo-Nazis, reported on the arrests of their members in the raids. In one chat room, users were surprised by the arrests and assume that those arrested "simply didn't know the basics of anonymity and conspiracy." Previous Raids And Arrests A month before the security services' raids, in April, Moscow's Tagansky Court fined Telegram seven 7 million rubles for refusing to remove channels calling for terrorist attacks and protest rallies. In 2024, the FSB reported raids in 78 regions and the detention of "pro-Ukrainian radicals" who were prompting others to commit criminal activities via social networks. In 2024, the authorities claimed that the arrested were found to have chats on Internet, in particular on the Discord messenger, with Ukrainian curators, "containing instructions on how to conduct sabotage and terrorist activities, the production and use of terrorist weapons, and plans for preparing armed attacks." Also in 2024, before the security services operations, Moscow's Tagansky Court had fined Discord 3.5 million rubles for failure to remove 947 illegal materials, which included "child pornography, calls for extremism, suicide, LGBT propaganda, and pro-drug[-addiction] content."
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Texas mom purchased ammunition and tactical gear for son as he planned 'mass violence' at school
A Texas mom was arrested for allegedly purchasing ammunition and tactical gear for her son, who was accused of planning 'mass violence' at his San Antonio middle school. Ashley Pardo, 33, was arrested for aiding in the commission of terrorism after she allegedly made a slew of concerning purchases for her son, including ammunition magazines, a tactical vest, a helmet, and army clothing, according to an arrest affidavit. The boy's grandmother told authorities that she found magazines loaded with live ammunition and an explosive device with the words, 'For Brenton Tarrant,' written on it. Tarrant is a white supremacist who was convicted of killing over 50 people praying at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019. The grandmother also found a note with the names of mass shooters and their victims. He allegedly told his grandmother that he was 'going to be famous' before Pardo picked him up from school on Monday morning, law enforcement told ABC News. The grandmother had seen the boy 'hitting a live bullet with a hammer' and he allegedly told her that Pardo purchased him 'guns and ammunition.' Pardo had allegedly bought the gear for her son in exchange for babysitting his younger siblings, the arrest affidavit noted. The grandmother notified authorities on Monday morning, and the boy allegedly arrived at school in a camouflage jacket, mask, and tactical pants. Shortly after he arrived, school officials couldn't find him and called San Antonio police officers out of fear that the boy was planning to initiate an attack. Rhodes Middle School released a statement notifying the community that the student was 'detained off-campus' and was arrested on terrorism charges. The school also noted that police were investigating concerning posts the boy made online. Pardo was previously contacted by Child Protective Services for her son's desire to 'commit acts of violence,' the affidavit noted. In January, she was contacted after drawings were found of the boy's school, which included a map that was labeled 'suicide route.' Authorities said the boy had a 'fascination with past mass shooters,' and alleged that Pardo knew this and 'intentionally' aided his alarming behavior. Then again in April, the boy was found researching the Christchurch shooting on a school-issued computer and was suspended. A day later, he 'attempted suicide with a straight razor causing significant injuries and requiring over 100 stitches,' according to the affidavit. Pardo told police that despite her son's pattern of behavior, she wasn't concerned about his actions. She was arrested with a felony charge on Monday and posted her $75,000 bond a day later. Pardo is due back in court on July 17 for a pre-indictment hearing. Rhodes Middle School Principal Felismina Martinez wrote in a statement that the district takes 'all potential threats seriously.' 'We will always remain vigilant to ensure our learning and working environment is safe and secure,' Martinez added.
Kiwiblog
24-04-2025
- Kiwiblog
Guest Post: Minimum non parole periods for murder
The 'standard' sentence for murder in New Zealand is life imprisonment with a minimum non parole period (NPP) of ten years. This can be increased at the sentencing Judge's discretion. For murder with aggravating circumstances, the sentence is life, with a minimum NPP of 17 years. Such sentences are rare. The third option is life without parole (LWOP) which thus far has only been imposed once, on the terrorist Brenton Tarrant. New Zealand is a common law country, which simply means that our law is derived from the law of England. Other such countries include the US, Canada, Australia, India, the West Indies – and Tonga, where I now live. There are of course considerable differences in the laws of the countries I mention – the most notable of course being the USA, the states of which have some offences which are nonsensical to an English or New Zealand trained lawyer. For example I haven't the foggiest idea what 'voluntary manslaughter in the second degree' might mean. The laws of Australia and the UK are much more similar to New Zealand law. In all three cases, the sentence for murder is life – whatever that might mean in a particular jurisdiction – with a minimum NPP.( Interestingly there are no NPP's in Tonga – in the Kingdom, life means life). All three countries – the UK, Australia and New Zealand – also now have LWOP as a possible sentence. (LWOP is referred to as a 'whole of life Order' in the UK which means exactly the same thing). The use of LWOP varies greatly between the UK, Australia and New Zealand. There are currently 77 'whole of life' prisoners in the UK. My research suggests that a person in the UK who kills two or more people, or someone who kills, is released on parole and then kills again, is almost certain to be sentenced to LWOP (much easier to write than 'whole of life Order'). One significant difference between the UK and New Zealand is that it is possible to receive LWOP in the UK for an offence other than murder – in particular rape. This is not possible in New Zealand because the maximum penalty for rape is 20 years as set out in the Crimes Act 1961. UK judges seen to have a much wider degree of discretion than here. There appears to be no Sentencing Act in the UK, although I stand to be corrected. I have been unable to ascertain the number of prisoners serving LWOP in Australia – I would be most grateful if someone with better research skills than I possess could tell us how many there are. Suffice it to say that there are a number – I would guess perhaps a dozen, but perhaps more or fewer. What is very clear is that minimum NPP's in Australia are generally much longer than here, with thirty years being not uncommon. As in the UK, a double or repeat murder in Australia will inevitably attract a life sentence – if not of LWOP then with a minimum NPP of in excess of 25 and up to 30 years or more. Here in New Zealand, other than Tarrant, the longest NPP remains the 30 year sentence – reduced from 33 years on appeal – imposed on William Bell for the murder of three people at the Panmure RSA in 2001. Bell committed his crime while on parole from a sentence for a particularly nasty aggravated robbery, during which Bell made it clear he wished to kill the service station attendant he attacked in the course of the robbery. Had Bell committed his crimes in the UK or Australia, I have no doubt he would have got LWOP. Instead he will become eligible for parole in 2031 – although it is fair to say he is unlikely to released. Well, that is unless the Green Party is then in charge of appointments to the Parole Board. The next longest NPP I am aware of is 28 years imposed on Paul Tainui – formerly known as Paul Wilson – for the murder of Nicola Tuxford, a woman who was trying to help him but with whom he had become obsessed. Prior to the murder of Ms Tuxford, Tainui had killed his girlfriend in 1994, served 13 years of a life sentence, and been released on parole. In 2018 Tainui broke into Ms Tuxford's house, lay in wait for her for eight hours, and upon her return, he raped and murdered her. At his trial in 2019, the Crown sought a sentence of LWOP, or if not that, then a minimum NPP of 30-32 years. The judge refused, and sentenced Tainui to life with a minimum NPP of 28 years. The third relatively recent such case I am aware of is that of Pauesi Brown, who killed 'good Samaritan' Austin Hemmings, who came to aid of a woman Brown was attacking on an Auckland street in 2010. Brown had killed his ex-girlfriend in Australia. He repeatedly stabbed his estranged girlfriend in the neck and chest while they were living in Melbourne in 1992. He was charged with murder, but the charge was reduced to manslaughter, and he was convicted in December 1993. He spent eight years in jail for that killing. Brown has a lengthy record of violent offences both in Australia and here. In what I regard as an outrageous sentence, Brown was sentenced to life with a minimum NPP of a mere 16 years – one year less than the prescribed sentence for murder with aggravating features. Again, had Brown killed for a second time in Australia, if not LWOP, he would have been given a minimum NPP of at least 30 years – double what he received in New Zealand – if not more. In my view – which I am sure is a view shared by most New Zealanders – sentences for murder in New Zealand are ridiculously light, and as I have shown, far more lenient than in either Australia or the UK, two countries with which we compare ourselves. Prior to Tarrant, the Crown had applied for LWOP in at least four cases that I am aware of, all for either second killings, or the killing of children. In all four cases, the NPP's were considerably less than the 30 years William Bell is serving. Murder – particularly the murder of children – is rightly the most serious crime on our statute books. While it is fair to say the circumstances vary widely – from the 'mercy killing' of a terminally ill spouse by the other spouse to the crimes committed by Bell and Tainui – I believe our sentences for the worse murders, such as those discussed in this piece are woefully insufficient, and do not come close to satisfying either the gravity of defying a person of life, or the public's wish for the worst killers to pay commensurately for their crimes. So how to change that? Given the nature and attitude of our judiciary, statutory direction is essential. The Sentencing Act could be amended to provide for a mandatory sentence of LWOP for any person who either kills two or more people, or is guilty of two killings separated by a prison sentence. We have already seen the folly of including a 'manifestly unjust' get out of jail card. If that was part of any amendment I am as sure as I can be that the judges would avoid imposing LWOP. I believe such an alteration to our law for murder would enjoy widespread support – even among Green voters. When Curia polled on the original three strikes law some years ago, to my considerable surprise it enjoyed the support of something like 45% of Green voters. The Green party by contrast would almost certainly vote against it.
South China Morning Post
02-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
Singapore detains boy, 17, allegedly planning to kill ‘at least 100' Muslims
A Singaporean teenager allegedly planning to kill dozens of Muslims outside several mosques has been detained, the city state's Internal Security Department said on Wednesday. Advertisement The 17-year-old boy was detained in March, the ISD said in a statement, adding that he had regarded white supremacist Brenton Tarrant – who in 2019 had killed worshippers at mosques in New Zealand – as a 'hero'. ISD also said he had 'identified as an 'East Asian Supremacist'', and had decided on five mosques across Singapore for his post-Friday prayer attacks. 'This boy wanted to kill at least 100 Muslims, so that he can kill more Muslims than Tarrant had killed. He also wanted to live-stream his attacks,' Home Minister K Shanmugam told reporters. 'When he was arrested … he had already made a number of attempts to get a gun. He told ISD quite openly if he had gotten a gun, he would have carried out his attacks.' Advertisement The teen had been in online contact with 18-year-old Nick Lee , who was detained in December for having similar plans.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Singapore detains teenage boy allegedly planning to kill Muslims
A Singaporean teenager allegedly planning to kill dozens of Muslims outside several mosques has been detained, the city-state's Internal Security Department said on Wednesday. The 17-year-old boy was detained in March, the ISD said in a statement, adding that he had regarded white supremacist Brenton Tarrant -- who in 2019 had killed worshippers at mosques in New Zealand -- as a "hero". ISD also said he had "identified as an 'East Asian Supremacist'", and had decided on five mosques across Singapore for his post-Friday prayer attacks. "This boy wanted to kill at least 100 Muslims, so that he can kill more Muslims than Tarrant had killed. He also wanted to live-stream his attacks," Home Minister K Shanmugam told reporters. "When he was arrested... he had already made a number of attempts to get a gun. He told ISD quite openly if he had gotten a gun, he would have carried out his attacks." The teen had been in online contact with 18-year-old Nick Lee, who was detained in December for having similar plans. The multicultural country has seen several cases in recent years where young Singaporeans have been detained for allegedly making attack plans following exposure to extremist content online. In 2024, authorities arrested a teenage boy who was allegedly planning an Islamic State group-inspired stabbing attack at a busy suburb. In the same statement Wednesday, the ISD also said a 15-year-old girl was placed under a restriction order in February, forbidding her from travelling nor having access to the internet without the approval of the ISD director. It alleged that between July 2023 and December 2024, the girl was in at least eight short-term romantic online relationships with overseas-based Islamic State group supporters. "She went to pledge allegiance to an ISIS chatbot," said Shanmugam. "She wanted to fight and die for ISIS, she looked up flights to go to Syria, she thought of how she was going to save money to plan for her travels." He added that the trend of rising radicalism and extremism of young people via the internet was "concerning". ISD said "self-radicalisation can happen very quickly". "In the case of the 15-year-old, it only took weeks," it said, appealing for the public to "be vigilant to signs". skc/dhc
