Accused Bondi Attackers Operated Independently and Did Not Undergo Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Confirm.
The two alleged attackers responsible for the fatal attack at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, reportedly been lone actors, per Australian police.
Police additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included arriving in the main city Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Visit
Police assert the individuals did not undergo any form of terrorist coaching or "planning" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from local authorities suggest they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The incident—declared Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
"We are actively analyzing the material," she stated, explaining that initial evaluations show that "the two men are believed to have been lone actors."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett briefed reporters on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian authorities.
"There is little to no indication to suggest these accused individuals were part of a larger terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from overseas entities to perpetrate an incident," Commissioner Barrett stated.
However, the duo were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines for tourism, the official noted. She emphasized that, given that the inquiry is ongoing, additional details could emerge.
Inspiration and Legal Proceedings
Earlier, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both alleged gunmen were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" beliefs.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with rifles—allegedly targeted attendees at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Immigration Details
In the aftermath following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines indicated that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The pair had listed the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. Historically, Militant fighters have been known to operate in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
