Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Operated Solo and Did Not Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities Say.
The two suspected attackers who carried out the deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, reportedly operated independently, per national police.
Authorities also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the capital Manila before traveling onward on the day of arrival to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Preparation During Stay
Investigators assert the pair did not partake in any form of attack-related instruction or "organizing" during their visit in the Philippines. Early findings from local authorities suggest they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The attackâdescribed as Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996âhas been formally classified as a act of terrorism.
"We are currently examining the evidence," the commissioner stated, noting that preliminary reviews show that "these individuals are suspected to have operated independently."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian investigators.
"There is little to no indication to suggest these suspects were affiliated with a wider organization, or were instructed by overseas entities to perpetrate an attack," Commissioner Barrett said.
Yet, the duo were likewise not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, the official noted. She emphasized that, as the inquiry is ongoing, new evidence could surface.
Motivation and Court Charges
In prior statements, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it seems both alleged gunmen were "inspired by Islamic State" beliefs.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveedâreportedly carrying firearmsâallegedly targeted participants at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 crimes. These comprise 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is due to appear in court in April.
Travel Information
In the days following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines indicated that the father had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an Australian passport.
The duo had listed the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. It is noted that, Militant militants have been known to be active in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
