Australia’s government has revoked the visa of right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos following the New Zealand shooting in Christchurch that targeted two mosques.
Although immigration minister David Coleman approved the visa for Yiannopoulos last week, he announced Saturday the visa would be canceled because of the British online personality’s remarks on Islam after the attack. In a Facebook post, Yiannopoulos said that shootings such as the one in Christchurch occur because “the establishment panders to and mollycoddles extremist leftism and barbaric, alien religious cultures.”
In response, Coleman denounced Yiannopoulos’ comments and revealed that his visa to Australia would be yanked. Yiannopoulos was slated to visit Australia next week for a speaking tour.
“Yiannopoulos’ comments on social media regarding the Christchurch terror attack are appalling and foment hatred and division,” said Coleman. “The terrorist attack in Christchurch was carried out on Muslims peacefully practicing their religion. It was an act of pure evil.”
Three men, including the Australian-born accused shooter, and one woman were arrested in the wake of the shooting, and one was released after investigators said he was not connected to the attacks. The alleged gunman appeared in court Saturday after he was charged with murder.
New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said Friday other charges would follow.
“I want to reassure all New Zealanders that we are doing absolutely everything in our power to respond to this attack, and deploying all available resources in communities across New Zealand,” Bush said.
The attack killed 49 people and injured 20 others.
