Suspected Bondi Shooters Acted Solo and Did Not Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Say.
The two alleged attackers responsible for the lethal incident at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, reportedly acted alone, according to Australian law enforcement.
Authorities further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved arriving in the capital Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Stay
Police assert the duo did not receive any form of terrorist instruction or "planning" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from local authorities point to they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The attack—described as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are actively reviewing the evidence," the commissioner said, adding that early reviews suggest that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett told media on Tuesday that security camera video tracking the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian investigators.
"There is no evidence to indicate these accused individuals were affiliated with a broader network, or were instructed by overseas entities to perpetrate an attack," she stated.
However, the pair were also not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, she noted. She emphasized that, given that the probe is still active, new evidence could surface.
Ideology and Court Proceedings
In prior statements, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it seems both alleged gunmen were "motivated by Islamic State" ideology.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying firearms—are accused of having opened fire on guests at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 offences. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Travel Particulars
In the aftermath following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines reported that the father had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The duo had declared the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' main southern island. Historically, Militant militants have reportedly be active in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
