Alleged Bondi Beach Attackers Acted Alone and Did Not Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Confirm.
The two suspected gunmen who carried out the deadly shooting at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, reportedly operated independently, as stated by national law enforcement.
Police further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved arriving in the main city Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Training During Visit
Authorities indicate the individuals did not partake in any type of terrorist instruction or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from Philippine authorities point to they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The incident—declared Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are currently reviewing the footage," the commissioner said, adding that initial assessments suggest that "the two men are alleged to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett told the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic authorities.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to suggest these suspects were affiliated with a broader network, or were acting on orders from overseas entities to perpetrate an act of violence," the police chief emphasized.
Yet, the pair were likewise not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett noted. She underscored that, as the probe is still active, fresh information might emerge.
Motivation and Court Proceedings
Earlier, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese remarked it looks as though both accused attackers were "influenced by Islamic State" beliefs.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying long-barrelled guns—allegedly shot attendees at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These comprise 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Travel Information
In the aftermath following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The duo had declared the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main southern island. Historically, Militant groups have reportedly operate in poorer parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
