Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Acted Solo and Did Not Undergo Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Confirm.
The two alleged individuals who carried out the lethal shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, as stated by national authorities.
Investigators also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the capital Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Training During Stay
Police assert the pair did not undergo any type of terrorist instruction or "planning" during their visit in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from Philippine officials indicate they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The incident—declared Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been officially classified as a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently examining the footage," the commissioner said, explaining that early reviews suggest that "these individuals are suspected to have operated independently."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the accused attackers' movements in the Philippines had been provided to Australian investigators.
"There is no evidence to suggest these suspects were affiliated with a broader terrorist cell, or were directed by others to carry out an act of violence," she emphasized.
Yet, the men were also not in the Philippines as tourists, Commissioner Barrett clarified. She underscored that, since the probe is ongoing, fresh information might surface.
Inspiration and Legal Proceedings
Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked it seems both accused gunmen were "influenced by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with long-barrelled guns—are accused of having targeted attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the shooting, has been charged with 59 charges. These comprise 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is scheduled to face court in April.
Travel Particulars
In the aftermath following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines reported that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The pair had stated the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling metropolis on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. It is noted that, Islamist fighters have been known to be active in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
