Alleged Bondi Beach Attackers Operated Independently and Received No Preparation in the Philippines, Authorities Say.
The two alleged attackers responsible for the deadly shooting at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, reportedly been lone actors, according to national law enforcement.
Police further stated that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved arriving in the capital Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Visit
Police indicate the pair did not receive any form of terrorist instruction or "logistical preparation" during their time in the Philippines. Initial findings from Philippine officials suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The incident—described as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been officially classified as a act of terrorism.
"We are actively reviewing the material," the commissioner stated, adding that early evaluations indicate that "these individuals are alleged to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed media on Tuesday that CCTV footage showing the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian authorities.
"There is little to no indication to support the idea these accused individuals were affiliated with a wider network, or were instructed by external parties to perpetrate an incident," she stated.
However, the pair were likewise not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett added. She emphasized that, since the probe is continuing, additional details might emerge.
Ideology and Legal Charges
In prior statements, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it appears both accused gunmen were "motivated by Islamic State" extremist views.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—allegedly shot participants at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Travel Details
In the days following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an Australian 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 sprawling city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. The region is known because, Islamist groups have reportedly be active in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
