Austrian authorities investigate right-wing group over alleged links to Christchurch attack

Austrian chancellor called on the country's government bodies to investigate the possible connection between the Christchurch mosque attacker and an Austrian nationalist group, after it was discovered that a well-known right-wing activist received a donation from a person with the same surname as the suspected attacker, Patria reports.

Martin Sellner, leader of the right-wing Identitarian movement in Austria, posted on social media that police searched his apartment and seized electronic devices after he received a 'disproportionately large donation' from a person with the surname Tarrant.

A spokesman for the Austrian Ministry of the Interior confirmed that the local intelligence service searched Sellner's apartment in Vienna on the order of the prosecutor in Graz, the Guardian reports.

'Any connection between the Christchurch attacker and members of the Identitarians in Austria must be thoroughly investigated,' Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz posted on his Twitter account.

'It is important that the independent justice system uses all necessary means and resources to conduct an investigation together with the security services in order to uncover these networks,' Kurz added, stressing that there must be 'utmost clarity regarding all activities of extremists.'

Martin Sellner denied any connection to the attack on March 15 in which 50 Muslims lost their lives in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.

Recall, one hour after the attack, New Zealand authorities arrested Australian Brenton Tarrant and charged him with murder.

Austrian authorities stated last week that Tarrant visited Austria, but did not confirm whether he met with right-wing activists during his stay in the country.

Some of Tarrant's anti-Muslim views are also promoted by the Identitarian movement, which is close to parts of the nationalist Freedom Party that is in the coalition government, Patria reports, citing world media.