Auckland, New Zealand – The failure of authorities to provide religious support to the LynnMall terror attacker during his time in custody could have played a role in his radicalization and subsequent violent actions, according to a lawyer representing his family. Ahamed Samsudeen, who arrived in New Zealand from Sri Lanka in 2011 as a Tamil Muslim, carried out a stabbing attack at a West Auckland supermarket in September 2021, injuring multiple individuals before being shot dead by the police.
The family’s lawyer argued in court that the coronial inquiry into Samsudeen’s death should examine his treatment in custody and how it may have influenced his terrorist attack and ultimate demise. Samsudeen had a history of expressing interest in the Islamic State, leading to his arrest in 2017 for allegedly planning to join ISIS in Syria. Despite being monitored by authorities and spending time in and out of prison on remand, he was found guilty of possessing and distributing ISIS propaganda at trials in 2018 and 2021.
During his time in prison, Samsudeen reportedly requested religious support but was unable to see an imam for years, a situation that the family believes exacerbated his frustration and anger towards authorities. They also raised concerns about the lack of mental health support provided to Samsudeen despite his known struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression dating back to when he applied for refugee status in 2012.
The family urged the coroner to expand the scope of the inquiry to include the failures of the immigration system in addressing Samsudeen’s mental health issues, highlighting missed opportunities for early intervention. Survivors of the LynnMall attack also recounted ongoing distress and trauma experienced in the aftermath of the violent incident, emphasizing the need for a public inquest to address the lasting impacts on their lives.
As the hearing continues in Auckland, the investigation into Samsudeen’s path to radicalization and the systemic shortcomings that may have contributed to the tragic events at LynnMall remains a central focus. The family’s calls for a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding Samsudeen’s time in custody and the response to his mental health challenges shed light on broader issues within the immigration and correctional systems that warrant scrutiny and potential reform.