24 Mar 2025

Christchurch mosque attack hero Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah's assault charge dismissed

11:51 am on 24 March 2025
Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah - victim impact statement.

PHOTO: JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON

Sentencing for Brenton Tarrant on 51 murder, 40 attempted murder and one terrorism charge. At christchurch high court.

Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah at the sentencing of the mosque attack killer in 2020. Photo: Stuff / Pool

A Christchurch mosque attack hero has had an assault charge against him dismissed.

Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah last year pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault with intent to injure and opted for a judge-alone trial.

The trial was meant to start on Monday in the Christchurch District Court, but before it began police withdrew the charge.

No details of the allegation were discussed, but police said it did not meet the threshold for prosecution.

Aziz was awarded a New Zealand Cross for bravery in 2021.

During the March 2019 terror attack, he picked up the terrorist's discarded gun, chased him away from Linwood Islamic Centre, and threw the weapon at his departing car, smashing the back window.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs