Accused Bondi Gunmen Operated Alone and Received No Instruction in the Philippines, Police Confirm.
The two suspected attackers responsible for the lethal attack at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, are believed to have operated independently, per national police.
Police also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included arriving in the capital Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Stay
Police have stated the duo did not undergo any form of terrorist instruction or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from Philippine officials suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.
The shooting—labeled as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally designated a act of terrorism.
"We are currently examining the footage," the commissioner stated, explaining that early reviews indicate that "these individuals are believed to have acted alone."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material showing the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been provided to Australian investigators.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these suspects were part of a broader network, or were acting on orders from others to carry out an attack," Commissioner Barrett stated.
But, the men were also not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett clarified. She stressed that, given that the probe is still active, new evidence could emerge.
Motivation and Court Charges
Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both alleged gunmen were "inspired by Islamic State" ideology.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying rifles—allegedly targeted attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is due to face court in April.
Travel Details
In the aftermath following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The duo had stated the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive urban center on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. Historically, Islamist militants have been known to be active in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
