Alleged Bondi Beach Attackers Acted Alone and Did Not Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Confirm.
The two alleged individuals who carried out the deadly shooting at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, according to Australian law enforcement.
Investigators also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing in the main city Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Stay
Authorities indicate the individuals did not receive any type of terrorist coaching or "logistical preparation" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from Philippine officials point to they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The shooting—described as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally declared a terrorist incident.
"We are actively examining the evidence," the commissioner stated, explaining that preliminary assessments suggest that "the alleged offenders are believed to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material showing the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian authorities.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to suggest these accused individuals were members of a wider network, or were instructed by overseas entities to execute an act of violence," Commissioner Barrett stated.
Yet, the duo were additionally not in the Philippines as tourists, Commissioner Barrett noted. She stressed that, given that the probe is still active, fresh information could come to light.
Inspiration and Court Charges
In prior statements, Australian leader Anthony Albanese remarked it seems both accused attackers were "inspired by ISIS" ideology.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was killed by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying long-barrelled guns—allegedly shot participants at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been charged with 59 charges. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Immigration Particulars
In the days following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The pair had listed the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. The region is known because, Islamist fighters have reportedly operate in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
