Alleged Bondi Beach Shooters Acted Solo and Received No Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Confirm.
The two alleged individuals who carried out the lethal shooting at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, appear to have acted alone, according to national police.
Investigators additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved landing in the main city Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Stay
Authorities indicate the individuals did not partake in any type of attack-related instruction or "logistical preparation" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from Philippine authorities suggest they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The attack—labeled as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally classified as a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently analyzing the footage," she said, noting that early assessments show that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett briefed reporters on Tuesday that CCTV footage showing the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian authorities.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to suggest these suspects were affiliated with a larger network, or were instructed by external parties to execute an incident," Commissioner Barrett stated.
Yet, the men were additionally not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she added. She emphasized that, as the inquiry is continuing, fresh information could emerge.
Ideology and Court Charges
Previously, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both alleged attackers were "influenced by Islamic State" beliefs.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with long-barrelled guns—are accused of having shot guests at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 crimes. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is expected to appear in court in April.
Travel Information
In the aftermath following the attack, immigration authorities in the Philippines reported that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The pair had declared the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. The region is known because, Islamist militants have reportedly be active in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
