Terror has no connection with history of Balkans: envoy

ANKARA

The Serbian envoy to Turkey has condemned the "terrorist attack" in New Zealand that killed at least 50 Muslims at their place of worship and called it an "act of a complete lunatic".

"There is no rational explanation for what he did. He named many historical figures on his gun connected to the different era and to totally different context.

"Only the sick person could make the connection between his mad, sick, criminal and totally unacceptable act with the history of Balkans," Zoran Markovic told Anadolu Agency on Saturday.

A gunman opened fire on worshippers during Friday prayers at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch.

Footage of the terrorist shows Serb nationalist symbols and song praising convicted Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic.

"We deeply disagree with any kind of violence and terrorism of any kind. I, personally, yesterday evening expressed my condolences to my New Zealand colleague and sympathies with families of victims, as well as my Government," said Markovic.

"Turkish public should know that this mad mass killer has no single connection with our region, especially not to Serbia. He should have been previously treated by competent social and medical institutions. Such disasters wouldn't happen then. Unfortunately, there are many unadjusted people all around the globe," said Markovic.

He added: "Putting this mass killer in any connection with Serbia is bad-intentioned and caused by intention to spoil excellent relations between Turkey and Serbia."