Accused Bondi Gunmen Acted Alone and Did Not Instruction in the Philippines, Investigators State.
The two alleged attackers responsible for the fatal attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, reportedly been lone actors, as stated by Australian authorities.
Police further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved arriving in the main city Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Preparation During Trip
Authorities assert the duo did not partake in any type of terrorist coaching or "organizing" during their visit in the Philippines. Preliminary investigations from local officials suggest they "rarely left" their hotel.
The incident—labeled as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially designated a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently examining the evidence," the commissioner stated, adding that early evaluations indicate that "the two men are suspected to have been lone actors."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told media on Tuesday that CCTV footage showing the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic investigators.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these accused individuals were members of a larger network, or were instructed by others to perpetrate an incident," she stated.
However, the men were likewise not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she clarified. She underscored that, as the probe is ongoing, new evidence might surface.
Motivation and Court Proceedings
Previously, Australian leader Anthony Albanese remarked it seems both accused attackers were "influenced by ISIS" ideology.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—allegedly opened fire on attendees at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is expected to face court in April.
Travel Information
In the aftermath following the attack, immigration authorities in the Philippines indicated that the father had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The two had declared the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. Historically, Islamist groups have reportedly be active in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
