Alleged Bondi Attackers Acted Independently and Did Not Instruction in the Philippines, Investigators State.
The two suspected individuals who carried out the lethal incident at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, as stated by Australian police.
Police 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 included arriving in the capital Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Trip
Police have stated the duo did not undergo any type of terrorist coaching or "planning" during their visit in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from local authorities suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The shooting—labeled as Australia's worst firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially classified as a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently reviewing the evidence," she said, explaining that preliminary evaluations indicate that "these individuals are believed to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett informed the press on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic authorities.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to support the idea these alleged offenders were members of a broader terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from others to perpetrate an attack," she emphasized.
Yet, the pair were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett clarified. She stressed that, since the inquiry is continuing, fresh information may emerge.
Ideology and Court Charges
Earlier, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it appears both alleged attackers were "influenced by Islamic State" extremist views.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was killed by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying long-barrelled guns—are accused of having shot guests at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Travel Information
In the wake following the attack, border authorities in the Philippines reported that the father had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The duo had stated the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large urban center on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. Historically, Islamist fighters have been known to be active in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
