Alleged Bondi Beach Gunmen Operated Independently and Did Not Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Confirm.
The pair of accused gunmen who carried out the lethal incident at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have been lone actors, as stated by national law enforcement.
Police further stated that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included arriving in the capital Manila before traveling onward that same day to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Planning During Stay
Investigators assert the individuals did not undergo any type of terrorist instruction or "organizing" during their visit in the Philippines. Early inquiries from local officials suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.
The attack—labeled as Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been formally classified as a terrorist incident.
"We are currently examining the footage," the commissioner stated, explaining that preliminary assessments indicate that "the two men are suspected to have operated independently."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic authorities.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these alleged offenders were affiliated with a wider network, or were directed by overseas entities to perpetrate an incident," the police chief stated.
However, the men were likewise not necessarily in the Philippines for tourism, Commissioner Barrett added. She underscored that, given that the inquiry is continuing, additional details may come to light.
Inspiration and Court Charges
In prior statements, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both accused attackers were "inspired by ISIS" beliefs.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with long-barrelled guns—are accused of having shot guests at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Travel Details
In the aftermath following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines reported that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The two had declared the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their scheduled return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. It is noted that, Islamist militants have reportedly be active in less developed parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
