A Muslim-led human rights group has questioned Muslims' safety in New Zealand following the arrest of a member of the New Zealand Army, believed to be involved in white supremacy and a far-right extremist group.
The Foundation Against Islamophobia and Racism (FAIR) said they are "deeply concerned" that the individual is serving in the army "with access to a range of firearms".
FAIR claimed the suspect - who was arrested on Friday following a "joint criminal investigation" by NZ Police and NZDF - was also questioned by police in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque shootings.
Newshub is not able to confirm how FAIR obtained this information. An unidentified source has also informed Stuff that the individual was questioned following the March 15 terror attack.
"We don't know if there are others within the military, police and other agencies who hold similar views... this white supremacist ideology is deeply entrenched," FAIR spokesperson Azad Khan said.
"The Muslim Community cannot be assured any safety in New Zealand in an environment where such people are empowered by the state to use violence.
"We want to know what the NZ government is going to do about fascists and neo-nazis in the military and other public service roles... that people like this are serving [in the New Zealand Army] is frankly terrifying."
Khan called on the Government to treat the case with "the utmost gravity" and designate local white supremacist groups as terrorist organisations. In their submission to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terror attack, FAIR raised the possibility of extremists enlisting in the military.
An NZDF spokesperson confirmed to Newshub that a member of the New Zealand Army was "taken into military custody" on Friday after police executed a search warrant at a New Zealand Army base.
"New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand police have been conducting a joint criminal investigation. New Zealand Defence Force is currently the lead agency. As this is an ongoing investigation no further comment will be made," a police spokesperson told Newshub.
On Wednesday, Newsroom.co.nz reported that a far-right "Christian brotherhood", Wargus Christi, claimed one of its members had been put in "military prison" last week via its Telegram channel.
"One of our boys has been arrested for reasons still unknown. They have him in custody at the moment," Wargus Christi reportedly posted on December 14.
Wargus Christi's public Facebook page regularly promotes far-right ideologies and values, referencing homophobia, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
A post from October 15 declared, "like Islam, Judaism is a diametrical enemy of Christ".
On Thursday morning, NZDF issued a suppression order saying the accused has been charged under the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971. The publication of the accused's identity has been forbidden.
