Alleged Bondi Gunmen Operated Alone and Received No Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators State.
The pair of accused attackers responsible for the lethal attack at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, per national law enforcement.
Investigators also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the main city Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Planning During Visit
Police indicate the individuals did not partake in any form of attack-related instruction or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Initial findings from local authorities suggest they "rarely left" their hotel.
The shooting—declared Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially designated a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are actively examining the footage," the commissioner stated, noting that early evaluations suggest that "these individuals are suspected to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett told the press on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the accused attackers' movements in the Philippines had been provided to Australian authorities.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to indicate these alleged offenders were affiliated with a broader terrorist cell, or were directed by overseas entities to carry out an incident," she stated.
But, the duo were also not in the Philippines as tourists, she noted. She emphasized that, since the inquiry is ongoing, fresh information could surface.
Ideology and Legal Charges
Earlier, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it seems both alleged gunmen were "inspired by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying rifles—allegedly shot participants at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been charged with 59 offences. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is expected to face court in April.
Immigration Details
In the aftermath following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines stated that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The duo had stated the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling urban center on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. The region is known because, Islamist groups have reportedly be active in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
