Suspected Bondi Attackers Acted Independently and Did Not Undergo Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities Confirm.
The pair of accused attackers responsible for the deadly attack at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, per Australian law enforcement.
Authorities additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved arriving in the main city Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Training During Stay
Police indicate the individuals did not partake in any form of attack-related instruction or "planning" during their stay in the Philippines. Initial investigations from Philippine authorities suggest they "rarely left" their hotel.
The shooting—labeled as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been officially designated a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently examining the evidence," she stated, noting that preliminary assessments show that "the alleged offenders are believed to have operated independently."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett briefed reporters on Tuesday that security camera video documenting the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been provided to Australian authorities.
"There is no evidence to suggest these suspects were affiliated with a broader network, or were acting on orders from others to perpetrate an attack," Commissioner Barrett said.
However, the duo were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she clarified. She underscored that, as the inquiry is still active, additional details might surface.
Motivation and Legal Charges
In prior statements, Australian leader Anthony Albanese said it seems both accused gunmen were "motivated by ISIS" extremist views.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was killed by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying long-barrelled guns—are accused of having opened fire on participants at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been charged with 59 offences. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a terrorist act. He is due to appear in court in April.
Travel Information
In the wake following the shooting, border authorities in the Philippines stated that the father had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The two had stated the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large urban center on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. Historically, Militant fighters have been known to operate in poorer parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
