Suspected Bondi Attackers Operated Solo and Did Not Preparation in the Philippines, Police Say.
The two alleged individuals responsible for the fatal incident at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, per national law enforcement.
Investigators additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the main city Manila before traveling onward that same day to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Training During Visit
Investigators assert the duo did not partake in any type of terrorist training or "organizing" during their time in the Philippines. Initial findings from Philippine officials suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The shooting—labeled as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally classified as a terrorist incident.
"We are actively reviewing the material," the commissioner stated, explaining that preliminary reviews show that "the two men are suspected to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett briefed media on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the accused attackers' movements in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic authorities.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to support the idea these alleged offenders were affiliated with a wider network, or were directed by overseas entities to execute an act of violence," the police chief stated.
Yet, the pair were also not in the Philippines for tourism, Commissioner Barrett noted. She emphasized that, given that the probe is still active, fresh information may surface.
Motivation and Court Charges
Previously, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese said it seems both alleged attackers were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying rifles—are accused of having shot guests at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These comprise 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is expected to appear in court in April.
Immigration Information
In the wake following the attack, border officials in the Philippines stated that the father had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The duo had listed the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. The region is known because, Islamist groups have reportedly be active in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
