Suspected Bondi Attackers Acted Solo and Did Not Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Confirm.
The two alleged individuals responsible for the deadly incident at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, reportedly operated independently, according to national law enforcement.
Authorities further stated that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing 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 Training During Stay
Authorities assert the duo did not undergo any type of attack-related instruction or "planning" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from local officials suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The incident—labeled as Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been officially declared a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently reviewing the footage," the commissioner said, explaining that initial reviews show that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have been lone actors."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed reporters on Tuesday that security camera video tracking the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been provided to domestic authorities.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these suspects were affiliated with a broader network, or were directed by others to carry out an act of violence," the police chief emphasized.
Yet, the men were also not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett noted. She emphasized that, as the probe is still active, additional details may come to light.
Inspiration and Court Charges
Earlier, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese commented it seems both alleged gunmen were "influenced by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying long-barrelled guns—are accused of having targeted attendees at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been charged with 59 offences. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Travel Particulars
In the days following the attack, border authorities in the Philippines reported that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The two had declared the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. Historically, Militant militants have been known to be active in less developed parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
