Suspected Bondi Gunmen Acted Independently and Did Not Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Say.
The two suspected gunmen responsible for the deadly incident at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, per national authorities.
Investigators further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included landing in the capital Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Trip
Authorities assert the individuals did not partake in any type of terrorist training or "planning" during their visit in the Philippines. Early investigations from Philippine authorities indicate they "rarely left" their hotel.
The attack—declared Australia's worst firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally classified as a act of terrorism.
"We are actively analyzing the material," she said, adding that initial reviews indicate that "the two men are alleged to have acted alone."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed media on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian authorities.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to suggest these suspects were part of a broader organization, or were instructed by others to execute an attack," Commissioner Barrett stated.
But, the pair were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett noted. She underscored that, given that the probe is continuing, additional details might emerge.
Motivation and Legal Proceedings
Previously, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both accused attackers were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with rifles—are accused of having 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 offences. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Travel Details
In the days following the attack, immigration authorities in the Philippines reported that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The pair had stated the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling metropolis on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. Historically, Militant groups have reportedly operate in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
