Alleged Bondi Beach Attackers Acted Solo and Did Not Undergo Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities Say.
The two suspected attackers responsible for the deadly attack at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, per national police.
Authorities also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing in the capital Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Visit
Police have stated the individuals did not undergo any form of attack-related training or "planning" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from local authorities indicate they "rarely left" their accommodation.
The shooting—declared Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally designated a act of terrorism.
"We are currently examining the material," she stated, adding that initial assessments show that "the two men are believed to have been lone actors."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that security camera video tracking the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic authorities.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to indicate these suspects were part of a larger network, or were instructed by external parties to execute an incident," Commissioner Barrett said.
However, the men were also not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett added. She stressed that, since the investigation is continuing, fresh information could come to light.
Ideology and Court Proceedings
Previously, Australian leader Anthony Albanese said it looks as though both alleged attackers were "motivated by Islamic State" ideology.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with rifles—are accused of having shot participants at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the attack, has been charged with 59 offences. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is expected to face court in April.
Travel Details
In the days following the shooting, border authorities in the Philippines stated that the father had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The duo had listed the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. It is noted that, Militant militants have been known to be active in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
