Suspected Bondi Beach Attackers Acted Solo and Did Not Undergo Training in the Philippines, Investigators Confirm.
The pair of accused gunmen who carried out the lethal attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, as stated by national authorities.
Police additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing in the capital Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The duo flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Visit
Investigators indicate the individuals did not undergo any type of terrorist training or "planning" during their stay in the Philippines. Initial investigations from Philippine officials point to they "rarely left" their accommodation.
The incident—labeled as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been officially designated a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are actively reviewing the evidence," the commissioner said, noting that preliminary evaluations show that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett told media on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian authorities.
"There is no evidence to indicate these suspects were members of a larger network, or were directed by others to execute an attack," the police chief said.
But, the duo were also not in the Philippines as tourists, Commissioner Barrett added. She stressed that, since the probe is continuing, new evidence may surface.
Ideology and Court Proceedings
Earlier, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese commented it seems both alleged attackers were "influenced by Islamic State" beliefs.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was killed by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—allegedly shot guests at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Immigration Details
In the wake following the shooting, border authorities in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The duo had declared the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. It is noted that, Militant militants have reportedly be active in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
