Suspected Bondi Gunmen Operated Alone and Did Not Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities State.
The pair of accused individuals responsible for the fatal shooting at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, as stated by Australian police.
Authorities further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved arriving in the capital Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Planning During Stay
Investigators have stated the duo did not partake in any type of attack-related coaching or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Early inquiries from local authorities point to they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The incident—described as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally declared a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are currently reviewing the footage," the commissioner stated, adding that preliminary reviews show that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian investigators.
"There is little to no indication to indicate these alleged offenders were part of a wider network, or were directed by others to execute an attack," Commissioner Barrett stated.
Yet, the men were also not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett clarified. She underscored that, given that the inquiry is continuing, additional details could come to light.
Inspiration and Legal Proceedings
In prior statements, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it appears both alleged gunmen were "motivated by ISIS" ideology.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with rifles—allegedly shot guests at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been charged with 59 charges. These comprise 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is due to face court in April.
Immigration Details
In the days following the shooting, border authorities in the Philippines indicated 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 intended endpoint. Their scheduled return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. Historically, Islamist fighters have been known to be active in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
