Man sacked, deported from UAE for 'celebrating' New Zealand terror attack

Published March 20, 2019
A policeman takes off his hat as a sign of respect as a hearse passes by at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 20, 2019. — Reuters
A policeman takes off his hat as a sign of respect as a hearse passes by at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 20, 2019. — Reuters

A company in the United Arab Emirates said an employee was fired and deported after he allegedly celebrated the mass killing of Muslims in New Zealand last week.

At least 50 people were killed and dozens wounded by a lone gunman at two mosques in Christchurch on Friday in what is the country's worst modern mass shooting.

Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, a white supremacist who was living in New Zealand, was charged with murder on Saturday.

"Over the weekend, a Transguard employee made inflammatory comments on his personal Facebook account celebrating the deplorable mosque attack in Christchurch, New Zealand," security company Transguard said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We have a zero-tolerance policy for the inappropriate use of social media, and as a result this individual was immediately terminated and turned over to the authorities to face justice," Managing Director Greg Ward said.

The company said the employee was deported by the UAE government.

Transguard, an Emirates Group brand, did not disclose the alleged comments. The name, nationality, and position of the employee were also not disclosed.

UAE government officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

An Emirates spokeswoman said the company had nothing to add to the Transguard statement.

The UAE has condemned the attack and expressed its condolences to the victims' families and to New Zealand.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF scrutiny
Updated 11 Feb, 2025

IMF scrutiny

Strengthening foundations of the economic superstructure will help make the economy competitive and boost growth.
Shadow voices
11 Feb, 2025

Shadow voices

OVER the weekend, another ‘open letter’ addressed to the army chief and attributed to former prime minister ...
Paradise at a premium
11 Feb, 2025

Paradise at a premium

PAKISTAN’S recent triumph at the New York Travel and Adventure Show 2025, winning the Best Partner Pavilion Award,...
A positive note
Updated 10 Feb, 2025

A positive note

With govt unable to press growth accelerator without upending fragile recovery, sufferings of low-middle-income households are unlikely to disappear soon.
Justice for all
10 Feb, 2025

Justice for all

ALONG with his domestic agenda, Donald Trump is busy ripping to shreds the post-World War II ‘rules-based...
Held back
10 Feb, 2025

Held back

IT is a crying shame how women are conspicuously absent from Pakistan’s civil services. Despite comprising half ...