An 18-year-old Dunedin man has been arrested in connection with an online bomb threat targeting a Wellington mosque earlier this week.
Detective Sergeant Dean Pearce said the man was arrested last night and has now been charged with causing harm by posting digital communication.
He was scheduled to appear in Dunedin District Court on October 27.
“Enquiries into this matter are continuing and police cannot rule out further charges,” he said.
The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) said the threat included the exact address of the Wellington Islamic Centre (Kilbirnie Masjid).
“As a necessary precaution, all community activities have been stopped at Kilbirnie Masjid. All the other mosques and Islamic centres in Wellington have been advised of the threat.”
FIANZ thanked police for their swift response, saying the arrest had brought “this sad saga to a close”.
Acting Wellington district commander Inspector Renée Perkins yesterday said police had received a report of a threat towards a place of worship in Wellington on Thursday.
She said there had been “no immediate known threat” but that an investigation was underway.
“Police are speaking with community representatives and keeping them updated while the investigation continues.”
