An individual implicated in the Bondi Beach terror attack faces charges for 15 murders, amid suspicions that the attack was possibly inspired by ISIS.
On the 14th of December, New South Wales police were called to Bondi Beach, Sydney, following reports of two active shooters targeting families.
The attack occurred during a Hanukkah event attended by hundreds of Jewish individuals on the beach.
The incident resulted in multiple injuries as the attackers fired from a strategic location on a bridge, marking it as Australia’s deadliest shooting in over three decades.
The shooting, identified as a terrorist act potentially motivated by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals, including a young girl aged 10.
Currently, around 20 individuals are hospitalized due to their injuries, with one reported to be in critical condition as of December 17th.
The suspects identified by the authorities are Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, who was born in Australia.
Naveed, the surviving suspect aged 24, now faces charges from Australian authorities for 59 crimes, including 15 counts of murder and one for committing a terrorist act.
Additional charges against him include 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, one charge of discharging a firearm intending to inflict grievous bodily harm, placing an explosive device near a building, and displaying a prohibited terrorist organization’s symbol publicly.
The charges encompass:
The charge related to the terrorist organization symbol arose after officers found flags of the Islamic State extremist group and improvised explosive devices in a vehicle allegedly associated with the suspects.
During the incident, Naveed suffered critical injuries and was taken to a hospital in Sydney, while his father was killed during a face-off with police at the scene.
Authorities confirmed that the 50-year-old had been in the country since 1998, initially on a student visa before transitioning to a partner visa and obtaining a resident visa, alongside holding a firearms license.
After reportedly waking from a coma, Naveed has been recovering, and New South Wales officers confirmed he had a preliminary hearing while in the hospital, informing him of the charges.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated on December 17th that they await the subsiding of Naveed’s medication effects before proceeding with formal questioning.
“It’s important for fairness that he comprehends the situation,” Lanyon remarked.
In a police statement, it was noted: “Police will allege in court that the individual engaged in conduct resulting in death, serious injury, and endangerment to advance a religious cause and incite fear within the community.
“Preliminary evidence suggests a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, recognized as a terrorist organization in Australia.
“Following comprehensive investigations under Operation Arques, investigators visited a hospital to charge a 24-year-old from Bonnyrigg with 59 offences.”