New Zealand Police on Tuesday said the man accused of shooting dead 51 Muslim worshipers at two Christchurch mosques will be charged with terrorism, the first time in the nation’s history such a charge has been filed.

The charge marks the first time New Zealand has invoked such facet of the terror suppression legislation adopted in 2002 following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

In addition to the terror charge, Tarrant now faces 51 charges of murder and 40 of attempted murder over the March 15 attacks in the South Island city.

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