Accused Bondi Attackers Acted Solo and Did Not Instruction in the Philippines, Investigators Say.
The two alleged gunmen who carried out the deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, as stated by Australian police.
Investigators further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the capital Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Stay
Investigators have stated the individuals did not partake in any form of attack-related instruction or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary investigations from Philippine officials suggest they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The incident—declared Australia's worst firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially designated a terrorist incident.
"We are actively analyzing the evidence," she said, noting that preliminary evaluations suggest that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have been lone actors."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian investigators.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to support the idea these alleged offenders were members of a wider organization, or were directed by external parties to carry out an attack," the police chief emphasized.
However, the men were additionally not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she added. She emphasized that, since the probe is ongoing, additional details might come to light.
Inspiration and Court Proceedings
In prior statements, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked it looks as though both alleged attackers were "inspired by the so-called Islamic State" beliefs.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was killed by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying rifles—are accused of having targeted attendees at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Immigration Particulars
In the wake following the attack, border officials in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The duo had declared the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large metropolis on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. It is noted that, Militant groups have been known to operate in poorer parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
