Alleged Bondi Gunmen Operated Solo and Received No Training in the Philippines, Authorities Say.
The two alleged individuals who carried out the fatal incident at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, are believed to have been lone actors, according to national law enforcement.
Investigators additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved arriving in the main city Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The duo flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Stay
Police assert the individuals did not receive any type of terrorist coaching or "logistical preparation" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary investigations from local officials indicate they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.
The attack—labeled as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally declared a act of terrorism.
"We are actively analyzing the evidence," she said, noting that initial reviews suggest that "these individuals are alleged to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic investigators.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to support the idea these accused individuals were affiliated with a broader terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from overseas entities to perpetrate an incident," Commissioner Barrett said.
However, the pair were also not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, the official added. She stressed that, since the probe is continuing, fresh information could come to light.
Inspiration and Legal Proceedings
Earlier, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese remarked it appears both accused gunmen were "influenced by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with firearms—are accused of having targeted attendees at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 crimes. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Immigration Information
In the days following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines reported that the father had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The two had stated the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. The region is known because, Islamist fighters have been known to be active in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
