Alleged Bondi Attackers Operated Independently and Received No Training in the Philippines, Investigators Say.
The pair of accused individuals who carried out the deadly incident at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, according to Australian police.
Authorities also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the capital Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Trip
Police assert the duo did not undergo any type of attack-related coaching or "logistical preparation" during their stay in the Philippines. Early inquiries from Philippine officials indicate they "rarely left" their hotel.
The attack—labeled as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
"We are actively analyzing the material," the commissioner stated, explaining that initial assessments indicate that "the two men are believed to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett briefed media on Tuesday that surveillance material documenting the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian investigators.
"There is little to no indication to indicate these accused individuals were members of a larger network, or were acting on orders from external parties to perpetrate an incident," Commissioner Barrett stated.
However, the duo were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, the official noted. She stressed that, given that the investigation is ongoing, fresh information might come to light.
Inspiration and Legal Charges
Previously, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both alleged gunmen were "influenced by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with rifles—are accused of having targeted attendees at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a terrorist act. He is due to appear in court in April.
Immigration Information
In the days following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines reported that the older suspect had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The two had declared the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. The region is known because, Islamist groups have been known to be active in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
