Accused Bondi Beach Gunmen Operated Alone and Received No Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Confirm.
The pair of accused attackers who carried out the fatal attack at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, appear to have acted alone, according to Australian authorities.
Police further stated that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing in the main city Manila before traveling onward that same day to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Visit
Police indicate the individuals did not partake in any type of terrorist training or "organizing" during their visit in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from Philippine officials suggest they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The shooting—labeled as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally declared a act of terrorism.
"We are currently reviewing the evidence," she stated, adding that early reviews suggest that "these individuals are alleged to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been provided to Australian investigators.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to support the idea these accused individuals were part of a wider terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from external parties to perpetrate an act of violence," she emphasized.
Yet, the duo were also not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she added. She emphasized that, since the probe is still active, fresh information could come to light.
Inspiration and Court Charges
In prior statements, Australian leader Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both accused attackers were "inspired by ISIS" extremist views.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with long-barrelled guns—are accused of having shot guests at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a terrorist act. He is due to appear in court in April.
Travel Information
In the wake following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines stated that the father had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an Australian passport.
The pair had listed the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling urban center on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. It is noted that, Islamist militants have reportedly be active in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
