Turkey's Erdogan to NZ terrorist: You will pay for this

ANKARA

The terrorist who killed and injured some 100 worshippers at New Zealand mosques last week “will pay,” vowed Turkey’s president on Tuesday.

"You will pay for this. If New Zealand doesn't do so, one way or another we will make you pay," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said of the terrorist, speaking at a campaign rally in Turkey’s Black Sea province of Zonguldak.

At least 50 people were killed and about as many injured when a terrorist opened fire on worshippers during Friday prayers at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand’s third-largest city.

The massacre was livestreamed on social media, and was accompanied by the release of a racist, Islamophobic, manifesto that also attacked Turkey.

"You dastardly, abjectly, licentiously killed 50 of our brethren who were in worship," Erdogan said, referring to the terrorist.

Words inscribed on the terrorist's weapons were "a confession" that he was targeting Turkey, despite being located so far away, said Erdogan. Photos of the weapons show the names of historical figures who fought Ottoman armies.

Three Turkish citizens are among the victims of the terror attacks, Erdogan said on Saturday.

Brenton Harrison Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian, is being charged over the massacre.

Later, speaking at a campaign rally in Turkey's northwestern Kocaeli provinces, Erdogan said Turkey has to be strong. “If Turkey stumbles, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Bosnia and Rakhine will also stumble,” he added.

Turkey is a safe harbor for people -- from Balkans to Caucasus and from Turkestan to Africa -- when they are in need, he said.

He went on to say Turkey is symbol of peace, tranquility and trust for millions of people across the world.