Accused Bondi Beach Gunmen Acted Alone and Did Not Undergo Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Say.
The two alleged attackers who carried out the deadly attack at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, as stated by Australian law enforcement.
Authorities further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the main city Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The duo flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Visit
Authorities assert the duo did not receive any type of attack-related instruction or "organizing" during their visit in the Philippines. Initial investigations from local officials suggest they "rarely left" their accommodation.
The incident—declared Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally classified as a terrorist incident.
"We are actively reviewing the evidence," she stated, adding that preliminary evaluations show that "the alleged offenders are believed to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett told media on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic investigators.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these accused individuals were members of a broader terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from overseas entities to execute an incident," the police chief said.
But, the men were likewise not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, the official added. She underscored that, since the probe is continuing, additional details could surface.
Inspiration and Court Proceedings
In prior statements, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both alleged attackers were "inspired by ISIS" beliefs.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying firearms—are accused of having targeted attendees at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of carrying out a terrorist act. He is scheduled to face court in April.
Immigration Details
In the aftermath following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines reported that the father had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The duo had stated the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. It is noted that, Islamist militants have reportedly operate in less developed parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
