Suspected Bondi Beach Attackers Operated Alone and Did Not Undergo Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities Confirm.
The pair of accused attackers responsible for the lethal incident at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, reportedly been lone actors, per national authorities.
Authorities additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the capital Manila before traveling onward that same day to Davao City. The duo flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Stay
Police assert the duo did not partake in any type of terrorist instruction or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from Philippine authorities suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The shooting—labeled as Australia's worst firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally designated a act of terrorism.
"We are actively reviewing the material," she said, explaining that initial reviews show that "these individuals are suspected to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett briefed reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material showing the accused attackers' movements in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian investigators.
"There is little to no indication to indicate these alleged offenders were members of a larger terrorist cell, or were instructed by external parties to carry out an incident," the police chief said.
But, the men were also not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, Commissioner Barrett added. She stressed that, since the inquiry is still active, new evidence may come to light.
Ideology and Legal Charges
In prior statements, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it appears both alleged attackers were "motivated by ISIS" extremist views.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—equipped with rifles—allegedly targeted participants at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These include 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 days following the attack, border officials in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The two had stated the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. It is noted that, Militant militants have reportedly operate in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
