Alleged Bondi Attackers Acted Independently and Received No Instruction in the Philippines, Police Say.
The two suspected attackers who carried out the deadly incident at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, per national authorities.
Police further stated that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved arriving in the main city Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Trip
Investigators indicate the duo did not receive any type of terrorist instruction or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Initial inquiries from Philippine authorities indicate they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The incident—described as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally declared a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently examining the material," the commissioner stated, noting that initial evaluations show that "these individuals are suspected to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett briefed reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material documenting the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been provided to domestic authorities.
"There is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader network, or were directed by overseas entities to perpetrate an attack," the police chief said.
But, the pair were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, the official noted. She emphasized that, since the inquiry is ongoing, new evidence may emerge.
Ideology and Court Charges
Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it looks as though both accused gunmen were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" beliefs.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with long-barrelled guns—allegedly targeted guests at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 charges. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to face court in April.
Immigration Details
In the days following the attack, immigration authorities in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an Australian passport.
The pair had declared the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. Historically, Islamist fighters have reportedly operate in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
