Auckland, New Zealand – The failure of authorities to provide adequate religious support to the LynnMall terror attacker, Ahamed Samsudeen, during his time in custody has raised concerns about potential contributions to his radicalization and subsequent violent actions, according to a lawyer representing his family.
Samsudeen, who arrived in New Zealand from Sri Lanka in 2011 and was granted refugee status, carried out a stabbing attack at a West Auckland supermarket in September 2021, seriously injuring five people and causing minor injuries to others. Despite being under active surveillance and having recently been released from prison, he was shot dead by police during the attack.
During a hearing in Auckland led by Coroner Marcus Elliott, attorney Max Harris presented the family’s submission urging for a thorough investigation into Samsudeen’s treatment while in custody and the possible connections to his acts of terror and subsequent death. Authorities had been monitoring Samsudeen since 2015 due to his association with the Islamic State, and he had faced multiple periods of incarceration before carrying out the knife attack in 2021.
The family’s submission highlighted the lack of religious support provided to Samsudeen during his time in prison, suggesting that this neglect might have contributed to his radicalization and violent behavior. They also pointed out the failure of Corrections to offer mental health support to Samsudeen, despite being aware of his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression dating back to his application for refugee status in 2012.
Additionally, the family called for an examination of the immigration system’s response to Samsudeen’s mental health issues, noting missed opportunities for early intervention and support. Survivors of the LynnMall supermarket attack continue to experience severe trauma, with many struggling to cope with everyday activities due to the lasting impact of the incident on their lives and well-being.
As the hearing unfolds, the coroner will delve into the circumstances surrounding Samsudeen’s time in custody, the failures in providing necessary support services, and the potential factors that may have led to his radicalization and subsequent acts of violence. The survivors of the attack seek an inquest to shed light on the public on the traumatic aftermath of Samsudeen’s actions and the ongoing impact on their lives.