Alleged Bondi Beach Shooters Acted Independently and Did Not Undergo Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Say.
The pair of accused individuals who carried out the fatal incident at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have acted alone, according to national authorities.
Authorities also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved arriving in the main city Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Stay
Police indicate the pair did not undergo any type of attack-related instruction or "logistical preparation" during their visit in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from local officials indicate they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The shooting—described as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally classified as a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently analyzing the footage," the commissioner said, noting that early assessments show that "the two men are alleged to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett told the press on Tuesday that security camera video documenting the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic authorities.
"There is little to no indication to indicate these accused individuals were affiliated with a broader terrorist cell, or were instructed by others to carry out an incident," she emphasized.
Yet, the duo were likewise not necessarily in the Philippines for tourism, she clarified. She emphasized that, as the probe is ongoing, new evidence might surface.
Ideology and Legal Charges
Previously, Australian leader Anthony Albanese remarked it seems both alleged attackers were "influenced by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying firearms—are accused of having opened fire on guests at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These comprise 15 charges of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is due to appear in court in April.
Travel Particulars
In the aftermath following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines stated that the father had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The two had listed the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. The region is known because, Militant groups have been known to operate in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.