Suspected Bondi Attackers Acted Solo and Received No Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities State.
The pair of accused individuals who carried out the fatal shooting at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, per Australian police.
Investigators further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved arriving in the capital 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 Preparation During Stay
Police assert the duo did not partake in any form of terrorist training or "logistical preparation" during their time in the Philippines. Early findings from Philippine officials indicate they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.
The incident—labeled as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially designated a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently reviewing the footage," the commissioner said, noting that early reviews show that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic investigators.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to support the idea these suspects were part of a broader organization, or were instructed by external parties to execute an incident," Commissioner Barrett emphasized.
Yet, the pair were also not in the Philippines as tourists, the official added. She stressed that, as the investigation is still active, fresh information might emerge.
Motivation and Legal Proceedings
Previously, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese commented it seems both alleged attackers were "influenced by ISIS" beliefs.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was killed by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with rifles—allegedly targeted attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is scheduled to face court in April.
Immigration Particulars
In the aftermath following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The pair had stated the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. It is noted that, Militant groups have been known to operate in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
