Turkey visit of NZ terrorist beyond touristic trip: Min.

Turkish justice minister on Monday said Turkey visit of the terrorist who attacked two mosques in New Zealand was beyond a touristic travel.

"It is obvious that visit of the person, who perpetrated the incident in New Zealand, to Turkey is beyond a touristic visit," Abdulhamit Gül told Anadolu Agency's Editors' Desk.

At least 50 Muslims were killed and as many injured on March 15 when a terrorist -- identified as Australian-born Brenton Tarrant, 28 -- entered the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch and shot worshippers in cold blood, including four children younger than 18.

The terrorist visited Turkey twice in 2016 according to Turkish officials, who said they were evaluating the possibility that the terrorist would have come to the country to carry out a terror or suicide operation.